The only way this could work is if there was a significant win bonus for the victorious team.

If there's one thing that the Exiles has managed with the fans, it seems to be an appetite for the other old fixtures we've had, Roses etc!

If there are fears that the Other Nations/ Exiles start to drop in quality, well then let them play the teams most appropriate? Have them play France, Wales and so on if they're at a closer ability then bring in a replacement game for potential England players: East/West (which would fit if we go down a conference route or something) or England vs Knights if not.

I don't see a problem with the Exiles (perhaps other than the name?), maybe in future years France could play them including England players in the championships, along with the Scottish/Irish/Welsh etc players. There's nothing that says the Exiles just have to be quota players is there? Just that they aren't currently a member of their National Team? ('Exiled'), at least for that weekend.

It can't have helped the Exiles that Daniel Anderson had been subbed for Murray from Flight of the Conchords.

Ultimatly the Exiles is a much harder challenge for England than the French/Welsh, yesterdays game was poor, but the conditions didnt help, like all things in RL if it doesnt work instantly, drop it, having said that I suggested the same about the meaningless Championship v French matches

But as far as giving the England team as hard a test mid season as possible it is the only current option, it wasnt a blow out scoreline as recent matches against France have been

It will probably never replicate SOO or a true International, but its all we have for the moment

If you want to increase the intensity of the club game the most likely option is ' Maurices ' 10 team SL 1 with P and R to a SL 2 , you can argue against it all you want and some of your reasoning is correct, but it would up the ' ante ' and provide very few meaningless matches, unlike now

I love how the Roses enthusiasts have all conveniently forgotten the abortive bid to bring it back in the early 2000s. There was full buy-in from the clubs, nice jerseys put together and good grounds chosen. Both sides featured the best players available, the games were decent and it was given a few years.

Why was it scrapped? Because the loudmouths who banged on about how great it would be never bothered to put a pair of pants on, leave the comfort of their Sky Sports package and attend the games. Which is exactly what would happen if it was brought back now.

It's dead - move on FFS.

Im a big fan of the Exiles concept, but I'll point out that at the last Roses match (that I attended) at Headingly there were 12,000 there - MIDWEEK - to watch the game.

If thats not well supported I dont know what is...

I would much rather the return to the Roses game - the big problem with it then, is the big problem now - that for all the hyperbole about form and performance winning selection its utter tosh. Players were and still are picked because of the club they play for and their reputation.