We all have our opinions on players, Roby is the best hooker in SL, followed by MM,Hodgson,Houghton,Lunt,Clark, (thats no order)all British & all improving,I'm sure most fans have shouts for there club men to represent, I just see MM as a very good player. From when I've seen him, I think the sloppiness in his game comes from playing to many minutes. Just my opinion.

All people go on about in this game is to do with the International game, and how that needs to improve to keep players and generate more commercial.

Never going to happen. Game being going years, and international game never big.

What is big, and it is only in Australia is the origin games. They are massive matches, and can make massive money commercially. Not only that, players thrive to play in them. There is absolutely no reason what so ever why Origin matches can not be a success in this country if done correctly.

I personally would rather see more emphasis on putting this concept in place.

If they want to get the thing moving, why not play a one off as a curtain raiser before the Challenge Cup final, or Grand Final, with the players not involved. See how it is received by the fans all in a packed big stadium.

Anyone would think that the old Roses games were played in front of a man and a dog, when in fact both in the 80s and at the turn of the century they attracted 10k crowds at a time when most league games didn't get anywhere near that.

Ideally, if it's a test trial, it would be East vs West, with Cumbria co-opted by Lancashire and London-born players playing along with Yorkshire, but I'll admit East v West as a title doesn't have the old-school bitter rivalry that Lancashire v Yorkshire does. However even in SoO the definition of Queensland is very loose.

Would also be nice to bring Widdop and the Burgesses (but not Tomkins and Graham) back for the occasion

_______________________

Yorkshire:

Hardaker

Hall
Wardle/Cudjoe
Shenton
Briscoe

Brough
McGuire/Burrow

Peacock
McIlorum
Crabtree/Huby
Ferres
Westwood
Ablett

Clark
Whitehead/Bateman
Taylor
Walmsley



Lancashire

Lomax

Charnley
Watkins
Ratchford
Makinson

Sinfield
Smith/Myler

Hill
Roby
Amor
Farrell
Tickle
O'Loughlin

Lunt
Hock
Singleton
Wood
__________________________

Might be forgetting some but Yorkshire's team looks much stronger to me.

I'd watch it as long as we don't call it "Origin". Yorkshire v Lancashire games have existed almost 100 years longer than "Origin", but let's forget all our heritage and Castlemaine XXXX our game like a crap lager copied by a brewery in Essex.

For me it's a concept that could work. Would have to be for me yorkshire vs Lancashire. There is a natural rivalry there and I believe it could be a big success.

I agree. I was disappointed when they stopped it a few years ago as I think it needs to be stuck at and made clear it will be a permanent part of the calendar for the foreseeable future.
Also, make it clear that non-participation from players will rule out an England/GB call up (apart from genuine injuries).

Weren't some of the games in the revived version around 10 years ago played midweek?

That for me was a flaw. I know the Aussie SoO was played midweek but for me if a British version was to be reintroduced it should have a sole weekend set aside for it, it would certainly improve ticket sales IMO.

Perhaps even trying to tempt the BBC to have it on a Saturday afternoon live??? I know that does present an issue then with Sky ignoring it's existence as they wouldn't be showing it.

I think its worth a go, but would also consider something like Probables v Possibles so you could get a better balance in some positions.
I accept, though, that it would not have the same crowd appeal, but could provide some very interesting personal contests / comparisons.

Been saying that for ages Fred.
Maybe the game could be played instead of the magic weekend to also include an exiles team against players who did not make the possibles /probable squads.
Just a thought

I agree, though I'd prefer a 3 game series rather than a 1 off game. Though maybe 1 game might be the way to reintroduce it and build interest?

1 weekend shouldn't be hard to find as didn't the Exiles game have a dedicated weekend?

Yeah a 3 game series would be the ideal goal long term, best to dip the toe into the water with just 1 match to begin with though.

Do any of the younger ages currently have yorkshire v Lancashire?

If not this could help build interest getting the kids used to representing their county.

As for the concept I would like to see it brought back however the calendar does need sorting out and with even more games next year it's tricky to see where it fits in.

I think we have enough games already. The problem with anything like this is it will be compared to Origin, which it will never be. 10,000 people and a low intensity mid season match is never going to compete with the 90,000 who'll be in Sydney in a few weeks. I don't think anyone cares enough for this match to happen - players, fans, administrators and certainly not the clubs

Use an u21s Lancashire vs Yorkshire to get clubs and fans used to the concept of it being overlaid into the regular season, and the concept of releasing players for origin duty. Then u23 then u25 and aim to have a full blooded origin 10-15 years down the line, with games moving to midweek, and no players playing extra games similar to how it is in aus.

Start small, get people and clubs used to it, then grow it. Else it will just be like last time where the best players develop 1 day injuries mid week, can't play and crowds dwindle

Origin took off because the Queensland players bought into it from the off, as summed up by Artie Beetson getting stuck into Mick Cronin. That's what made it into an event - genuine passion on the field. Fans sensed this, plus Qld at last was able to compete with/beat NSW meaning those up here were hooked quickly.

Unless the players themselves took it that seriously, there's no chance of replicating even part of Origin.

BTW I disagree that internationals in RL aren't big. The WC last year was a huge success commercially, and once GB started to look even vaguely competitive in the 80s and 90s we got big crowds against Australia - the decline of scale of those events is directly related to GB/England becoming less competitive IMO. The WC showed people will turn up.