It seems to me that easyJet is indeed scared of competition. MOL and his merry men have seen EZY off at EMA (I expect they'll paint it on the side of a 737 - 'Goodbye from EMA easyJet'), and they are giving them a run for their money at LPL, BRS and many other places. They also win the publicity war hands down.
I think with regard to RYR giving EZY a run for the money at LPL, I think they gave it a go, then gave up. Just over a year ago, RYR had 7 a/c in lpl, to EZY's 8. Now the tally stands at RYR 6 (1 of which is on standby as far as I am aware) and EZY have 9, with numbr 10 arriving next year, and i hear talks of one of the EMA a/c being moved to LPL also...Thats just hear say though