A one off game where the opposition is picked by an internet vote? Silly gimmicky stuff. Should also have been a 3 game series a la SOO, as that is what they're trying to replicate.

They should have also put it in better stadia than Headingly. I'm not knocking it just because it's Leeds' ground, but if you're trying to put this forward as a vibrant new direction for international RL then why not put it in a modern stadium? Say Huddersfield for example? New match being born in the same place the game itself was born?

Also there's the fact of WHO is going to be cheering on the Exiles? They're a made up team.

Right, that's my 2 pence worth. I'm off for lunch.

I quite like the idea, but the concept of it being chosen by the fans is tosh anyway. It was quite clear most of the picks that the fans would make out of the options provided, and then the coach gets to pick 9 more anyway. So it's more or less entirely his choice.



Because it would have looked empty. I'm going, but I highly doubt there will be a big crowd there, and playing it in a 25,000 seater stadium will make it look even worse.



About 40% of people according to the Super League Website vote. Who the chuff has voted on that, I struggle to know. Anyone who is English and cheers on the exiles just because some of their club players are in the squad wants shooting.


As far as the squad goes, it's really uninspiring. Perfect game to give the likes of Jamie Foster a run out and instead he's stuck with the same old failed formula. But what do we expect from the bloke who thought Rikki Sheriffe and Mike Worrincy were Super League quality players?

I'll be cheering on the Exiles as technically I am one. Really can't be cheering on England!

Am i the only one thinking and hoping that these will then not be fit enough (especially roby) to play against us on 12th possibly giving us the potential to continue our surge to the play-offs (only if we beat quins- obviously) !!!

It has been mentioned before that it may help us out, will they not also have two in the Exiles team?

Yes i believe so

Could be 3. I think Meli, Soliola & Puletua are all in the squad.

Is Meli in there aswell - thought it was just Soliola & Puletua.....................

Oh well the more the merrier

That is dependant on all of the said 7 players playing, and if they feel they can play 2 games !!

The idea of the exiles match sounds ok in theory but in practice I fear it will be an exhibition match. Could well be that neither side busts a gut and it gives the England coach no more clue as to who can play under pressure as a game versus France would've.

How many players have dropped out of the exiles team so far? How many more will drop out after this weekend?

I hope I'm wrong but I think it'll be a predictable anticlimax. At £19 a ticket it's a bit pricey too for a new concept. If they'd made it £12 or £14 it might have tempted me a bit more.

If it's to work what we need is a big marketing push like the Aussies did with Origin back in 1980. Before then Origin games were lucky to get attendances of 2k but suddenly they got 30k. It also helped that the players bought into the concept and took it seriously. On that front we need someone like O'Donnell to flatten one of his club teammates to spice things up. That would show all that the players meant it.

Without that it'll just be like a half hearted exhbition game. I was at GB versus The Rest of the World in 1989 which was a mouth watering prospect when you looked at the teams on paper. On grass it was a bit of a training session.

But wouldnt St. Helens still be able to play the league game as they have a squad big enough to compensate ??

Or is there a rule somewhere stating otherwise !!!!!!!

Yeah, that seems to be the whole nub of the issue. As it's a glorified club game the RFL should have tried marketing it through clubs and offered people with season tickets reduced entry prices.

I used to like the Roses games but they didn't work as those that played for Lancs didn't seem to have as much pride in the jersey. When Peter Fox coached Yorkshire they were invincible.

Can't think of a sub-national concept that breeds the same rivalry as Origin that would work over here.

Roses games were quality for fans, it was great cheering on Yorkshire and the banter between fans! Now you mention it Yorkshire did seem to be more passionate about it then again maybe i'm just completely biased. WHITE ROSE, WHITE ROSE! Bring it back I say.

Ryan Atkins - dreadful down under last year. Would have given Welham a go despite being ginger.
Chris Bridge - average in a great club side. See Darryl Goulding.
JJB - done nothing for 2 years. Not big enough.
Jon Wilkin - how many times can he get thrown around at international level?

Would have picked McGilvary on one wing.