The idea that a rugby player of whatever code can cross the Rubicon and play the other sport seems a perfectly natural one. After all, the ball is the same shape, the object of the game is the same, and the ways of defending are pretty much the same. So why is it such an issue?

Point 1: Very Few Players Are Good At Both Codes

Jason Robinson is the obvious exception to that rule, having played at the top level in both codes, and is of course, an absolute certaintly to go to the World Cup this autumn with the England squad. But who else? Henry Paul? Well, clearly he's holding down a regular place in the Gloucester side, and is in the mix for England 'A' honours all the time, but not quite there for the world cup. Still, its a pretty hard squad to get into at the moment, so we say, yes, Mr. Paul is another of cross-coding's success stories.

Then of course, there's the people who have made the opposite journey, from union to league. Again, an obvious example of someone who excelled at both codes is Jonathan Davies - playing for Wales when they were still a pretty good side (although admittedly on the wane at that point in time), and then a regular in the Great Britain side.

However, these people are - on the whole - exceptions. As a sweeping generalisation, players good at one code tend not to set the world alight in the other.

So thus we have the initial problem with dual-code signings that they are by definition going to be balanced towards one or other of the codes.

Point 2: Dual Coders Have To Play All Year Long

The second main problem with this is one of fitness. There is pretty much a constant buzz in the media background of players playing more rugby than is good for them - the union season starts in September and ends in June, and with summer international commitments, top-level players can effectively have no time off at all, unless the depth of their teams can cope with individual lay-offs (lucky England!). So within all that, crowbar a full season of rugby league fixtures, and you are going to have very tired players who are unable to give their all in either code, and are therefore likely to be more suseptible to serious injury.

Point 3: The Fans HATE it!

Finally, you have an already antagonistic set of fans accusing the others of "stealing our player" or breaking them without having played a game; Japie Mulder is still mentioned darkly amongst Rhinos fans ("Supposed to be a dual-coder; never turned out for us did he? Bloody Tykes, taking our money....").

So, What about Mr. Botham?

For me, these three factors means that any dual-code signing is going to be problematic. Assuming he comes to Leeds, I wish Mr. Botham well, and sincerely hope he can do the job in his dual-code role. We may find he is another in the Robinson mould, and sets the world ablaze when he turns out for first the Rhinos Academy, and then the Rhinos.

What I think we're more likely to find, however, is that he plays for the Tykes during the World Cup, and sits on the bench after Christmas. His summers, I feel, will be most likely playing cricket....

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