Perhaps true but if you start it'll never get any closer to happening.

I know it's selfish but I hope Kearney doesn't get picked.....

a joke of a mid season knock-about isn't going to help matters.

if it was done as a serious and sensible series, a la origin, it might have some effect. but the way the rfl have set this one up? having fans vote on what players will be in the squad? (and btw, I'd not be massively surprised if certain players fail to be "fit" for the game"icon_wink.gif how can ANYONE take a side which that stipulation seriously?

How with an X-Factor style team be an improvement over giving the French an annual thrashing?

It's just the RFL throwing against a wall and seeing what sticks. Now, if the RFL were smart, they'd be on the phone to SL clubs and giving them offers for their season ticket holders for the game. Let's face it, season ticket holders in RL tend to be the ones who are most likely to attend additional games such as cup finals and internationals, so offering them a deal will improve the chances of them attending the game, and give the RFL the chance of building their own marketing database.

Sorry saw this after the other thread, as I said there the voting is only for 13 of the 22 man squad. Coach has 9 picks to make up for our strategic voting. Its still a gimmick but I can't see it effecting the strength of the team.

Looking at the players they've got to be more effective than the other home nations or France even if they have limited training time. If they approach it like the Barbarians games and just go out to throw the ball about and not worry about the score then it could be interesting.

I agree though until they give England friendlies proper time (Friday night of SL weekend is nonsense) and competition then they are of limited value but I guess my point was they have to start somewhere.

the RFL have to start somewhere, not surprised the French are a bit put out, I would have had a three way, England, European Baa Baas, and the Antipodean Exiles, give them a bit of time together and two games each, both play the Europeans first, which give McNamara much more information about players, combinations etc and a couple of decent games, one which they should win, the other ?????. Its a step in the direction to getting realistic about Englands chances, by playing tougher friendlies. The hype about the england side last tournament was in direct proportion to our performance. If I was an England player I would die for the chance to play against some of these guys.

Kearney losing in the polls and no Bulls players making it into the England Squad are great news. They can pick up to 3 exile players from any one club plus England players. That means theoretically Saints could have half a dozen players involved on the Friday night. We then play them on the Sunday at Home.

Apparently if any team has more than 5 players representing they are automtically awarded the points for their club game that weekend. They also get to sign 5 more Aussies on short contracts for the play offs & the option to kill the leading points scorers from the opposition in all subsequent games. It's a disgrace.

The RFL hate us.

nice one tigertot, you are indeed a free scoring winger

I understand why people would prefer not to have Bulls playing rep rugby. Many do consider international rugby league as a waste of time which is a shame. The international calendar in rugby union is the only think I'm slightly envious of and I can understand why it could be a factor in switching codes. It's an ambition of most players to play for their country (or the country their grandparents went on holiday). Either way it should be the pinnacle of any sport.

I'd personally love to see a few bullies playing as it 'should' mean that they are the best player in their positions in the country. The fact that we no longer have international reps other than for emerging nations only suggests one thing to me. And that's nothing to do with Mcnamara being the England coach. May have more of a bearing that he was the bulls coach though.

You mean he's trying to do us a favour? Or maybe he fell out with much of the squad last year?

And Sky Sports.

Don't forget other journalists and pundits. And the other clubs. And other fans.

And tribes as yet undiscovered by the modern world

I'd say more that the clubs had declined so much under his management that we no longer have any international class players. We have a few decent players but none that I'd pick in an England starting 17 (at the moment).