most of what you just said is so one eyed it's just plain stupid



1. please prove that Great britian RL is a far bigger brand than England RL.....i'd bet you a pint that the RFL earns for money from england than they did from GB..

2. aside from getting your memorable wins mixed up lol.....how england beating the reigning world champions in 2009 to make the 4 nations final.....and beating the reigning 4nations champions to make the 2011 4nations final how they are'nt memorable moment just goes to show how blinkered you are...



introduce the "celtic tigers" and then england won't be the only touring team would they!

bring back GB now and players like brough,mcllorum,evans,bridge,harrison etc will still opt to switch to england because england play in big comps every year! so it would'nt make any difference if they have the chance to play for GB every 4 years!!

having the celtic tigers play in big games every year,against england or playing off v france for 4 nations or going on tours down under...GIVES PLAYERS A REASON TO STICK WITH WALES,SCOTLAND OR IRELAND...

and another thing.......i've yet to hear from anyone official from wales,scotland or ireland support bring back GB...and i doubt we will.



during the final years of GB (2001-2007) can you tell me the level of development of the game in wales,scotland & ireland...........i'll answer that for you...ABSOLUTELY COCK ALL!

now go look at whats happened in wales since 2008....and tell everyone "its heavily flawed"


ps wales under 18's beat scotland under 18's at the weekend.......that would'nt have happened 6 years ago..


but yeah scrapping GB was heavily flawed

Why invent a totally new brand (after a year you'll all want to cancel it anyway...) when we already have what everyone wants, Great Britain. Get them to tour Aus + NZ every four years. Problem solved.

No-one in Aus or NZ wants to watch the Celtic Tigers. Give them the GB Lions however...

but not everyone wants GB....


and england already tour australia & NZ every 2 years..........so what would be so special about the same england players going on tour every 4 years as GB????

this would'nt have happened without scrapping GB www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/artic ... -centre-is Quote I’m delighted to see the Wales Rugby League Elite Performance Centre’s development coming to life. THE SECOND stage of development at our Wales Rugby League Elite Performance Centre Deeside Leisure was revealed last week with the opening of our Elite Performance Gym supported and funded by Sport Wales. Wales Rugby League President Mike Nicholas opened the facility alongside Graham Williams from Sport Wales along with 20 delegates. Since the WRL officially opened the facility in May, the North Wales Crusaders Under-18s have developed and training at the performance base, there have been two coaching workshops with over 50 people in attendance, the Wales international squad train there and now the North Wales Under-14s have had their first session part of a 20-week programme developing core skills. The Under-14s, after their two ten-week blocks, will showcase their skills in an Origin Series against South and West Wales U-14s,while the Wales wheelchair international squad who will be competing in the World Cup next year, had their first session. North Wales Manager for Sport Wales Graham Williams said: "I’m delighted to see the Wales Rugby League Elite Performance Centre’s development coming to life. "We’ve worked closely with Flintshire County Council and Wales Rugby League to establish a facility that will benefit not only the players of today but that will also support the talented players emerging from across North Wales for years to come. It’s a fantastic step forward for the sport in Wales and we look forward to seeing the Elite Performance Centre go from strength to strength." Wales Rugby League North Wales Development officer Matt Pritchard said: "Thanks to Sport Wales and the support from Matt Hayes, Flintshire County Council Sport Development Manager, alongside Jeff Shields, Deeside Leisure Centre facility manager and Sian Williams, Operations Manager, this partnership has provided Wales Rugby League with the all in one facility we have needed and is a huge step in our development as a nation. "It’s important we have everything in close proximity and everyone from Wales Rugby League who comes here feels part of the facility and knows its our elite performance base, It further highlights an innovative approach to facility development and showcases best practice in partnership development".'"

this would'nt have happened without scrapping GB www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/artic ... -centre-is Quote I’m delighted to see the Wales Rugby League Elite Performance Centre’s development coming to life. THE SECOND stage of development at our Wales Rugby League Elite Performance Centre Deeside Leisure was revealed last week with the opening of our Elite Performance Gym supported and funded by Sport Wales. Wales Rugby League President Mike Nicholas opened the facility alongside Graham Williams from Sport Wales along with 20 delegates. Since the WRL officially opened the facility in May, the North Wales Crusaders Under-18s have developed and training at the performance base, there have been two coaching workshops with over 50 people in attendance, the Wales international squad train there and now the North Wales Under-14s have had their first session part of a 20-week programme developing core skills. The Under-14s, after their two ten-week blocks, will showcase their skills in an Origin Series against South and West Wales U-14s,while the Wales wheelchair international squad who will be competing in the World Cup next year, had their first session. North Wales Manager for Sport Wales Graham Williams said: "I’m delighted to see the Wales Rugby League Elite Performance Centre’s development coming to life. "We’ve worked closely with Flintshire County Council and Wales Rugby League to establish a facility that will benefit not only the players of today but that will also support the talented players emerging from across North Wales for years to come. It’s a fantastic step forward for the sport in Wales and we look forward to seeing the Elite Performance Centre go from strength to strength." Wales Rugby League North Wales Development officer Matt Pritchard said: "Thanks to Sport Wales and the support from Matt Hayes, Flintshire County Council Sport Development Manager, alongside Jeff Shields, Deeside Leisure Centre facility manager and Sian Williams, Operations Manager, this partnership has provided Wales Rugby League with the all in one facility we have needed and is a huge step in our development as a nation. "It’s important we have everything in close proximity and everyone from Wales Rugby League who comes here feels part of the facility and knows its our elite performance base, It further highlights an innovative approach to facility development and showcases best practice in partnership development".'"

As opposed to some ridiculous idea: "I know, let's create ANOTHER artificial team"!!


Any evidence? I won't argue they don't - it's probably easier with online marketing and an online retail outlet.

But I'd bet a pint with a similar set-up for Great Britain alongside England, they could earn more.




You're using a couple of wins against NZ as proof of how strong 'England RL' are? They're almost as inconsistent as we are! 2 wins against NZ, zero wins against Aus - we can't even beat the Exiles!!




Another fake team for meaningless games...just what RL needs. Wonderful.

People with Celtic roots are generally very proud of them. Give them the option to play for that country and they'll generally snap it up. However, while Wales, Scotland and Ireland are -poor teams mostly competing in meaningless competitions, and while England are still the only ones guaranteed regular games against the big boys, their best players will always opt for England. Reintroduce GB and these players can opt for Wales, etc while still getting a shot at big games/tours against the big guns - exactly as happened in the past! I'm not sure what's do difficult to understand about that?

A Celtic team would still be a -poor team, made up predominantly of Welsh players. They would still get spanked by England, NZ or Aus, indeed any SL or NRL side. Utterly, completely pointless. Top level players are not going to flock to the 'Celtic Tigers' (lol) banner.


Shock. Someone working for the Welsh, Scottish or Irish RL doesn't support the reintroduction of an international entity above their level? Well there's a surprise.


Tell me about some development in Wales that is a DIRECT consequence of the removal of GB?

The rise of Crusaders and now South Wales probably have more to do with the growth of the game, plus the RFL introducing development officers and generally pulling their fingers out as far as development is concerned - and not just in Wales.

And please explain why the existence of a GB should adversely affect the development of the sport in Wales? It gives Welsh players something to aspire to, it gives players with Welsh roots more incentive to opt for Wales, it brings Welsh support to the GB banner.

GB is a team, not a national development operation. The players gather probably every other year and play in GB shirts. They don't need development funds, development officers, permanent facilities, etc - all they need are operational funds every so often and some marketing funds. There is no reason is should detract from any development.


??? A Wales u-18s wouldn't have beaten a Scotland u-18s 6 years ago? Were Scotland u-18s a dominant force 6 years ago? WTF are you on about? Actually, it DID happen - and more than 6 years ago:



Home Nations Championship 2004: Wales 34 Scotland 28
Friendly Match 2005: Wales 36 Scotland 12
European Championships 2006: Wales 14 Scotland 14 (ooh nearly a win!)
Home Nations Championship 2007: Scotland 10 Wales 68
Home Nations Championship 2009: Wales 30 Scotland 6


Yes, it was.

you've contradicted yourself so many times in that post its funny......


you go on about "yet another meaningless team"...........GB is meaning less cos 17 englishmen does'nt represent the GREAT BRITISH ISLES!!

you say celts are proud and would jump at the chance to play for their nation.....and with GB around they might get the chance once every 4 years to play the big boys....WITH A CELTIC TIGERS TEAM THE PROUD CELTS WILL BE REPRESENTING THEIR CELTIC ROOTS EVERY YEAR AGAINST THE BIG BOYS!!! your telling me they would'nt jump at that??

you say that all the development in wales is'nt a result of GB disbanding..........OH IT IS SUNSHINE..everything from youth development,spreading the game in schools and getting together with SPORTwales to build the performance is a direct result of having the spotlight turned off GB and onto the "home nations"........thats exactly why you won't hear from the welsh..or scots..or the irish about bring back GB..COS YOU ARE RIGHT..THEY DON'T WANT A TEAM (GB) SMASHING RIGHT OVER THE TOP OF THEM AND STEALING THAT SPOTLIGHT AGAIN!!!

the only people that want GB back is flat capped one eyed englishmen who think wearing a red & blue chevron will magically make 17 englishmen better....IT WON'T!!

The first thing I thought on hearing this was the Pacific Island (All Stars) that periodically crops up in NRL discussions. Not really sure what I think, but I do believe if players have the chance to get paid in higher class internationals they will generally review their opinion of their nation to make sure they can play. If a Celtic team could fare slightly better against England, NZ etc, maybe they would get more game time. But my initial reaction like most is that it seems pretty stupid, but I'd rather consider it first because there could be some merits.

Just as a question, how do national teams work in RL? I have no idea, it seems most sports allow the sub-nations in the UK compete seperately, how is this viewed as different from say USA/German or Australian (or any other federation you fancy) states competing? I suppose the Cook Islands comes under this discussion too with its ties to New Zealand.

On the other hand, what is the view on multiple sovereign nations competing as one team? After all, that is what GB+I Lions would be in the modern day (and will have been for so, so long now). What would be the difference between this and, say, a Pacific Islands team? I mean they are both made up, or tied together culturally or whatever BS justifies this stuff at the moment (would a Melanesia RL and Polynesia RL be more 'correct' like the Lions?). Obviously golf has a 'made up' Europe team playing against a country, RU has their own 'made up' Lions, and football is a giant messup between FIFA and Olympics, cricket has made up teams (West Indies?) too... well you get the picture.

I know that the rules are basically "whatever we feel like atm" but is there any precedent for this sort of thing?

ETA: Let alone even starting on Ireland...

Over 100 years of history, dozens of great moments, epic Ashes series, etc, etc - meaningless. I think we can probably start to gently ignore most of your opinions at this point.

Great Britain hasn't often been represented by 17 Englishmen - simply because players could still play for their home or ancestral nation and also for GB. I get the feeling this point isn't sinking home with you.


Utter rubbish. "Here, you can play for England in front of 20-40,000 against the Aussies and Kiwis almost every year, or for the brand new 'Celtic Tigers' in front of 2-3,000 against France, Fiji and the Lebanon in some manufactured competition".

No, they wouldn't jump at that. It would still be a half-baked, idiotic creation, and still weak on the international stage, with zero chance of competing with Aus, NZ or even England.


Stop shouting.

Yes, I agree development has moved on. The RFL started investing in Development Officers in the community (not just in Wales, all over the UK). Crusaders made great inroads initially. South Wales are doing their bit. The profile of RL in Wales is slowly growing.

I'm not sure why you think GB would (ahem) "smash right over the top of them" though - GB is just a team that gets together for tours every couple of years, but also offers something for all Home Nations players to aspire to. You're being a bit of a drama queen.


Or perhaps those who love the wonderful heritage of Great Britain Rugby League and remember the heady days of the Ashes series, and what they represent. You can choose to ignore that if you like, more fool you.

I know you think you've come up with some inspired idea, and no offence, but it's bllocks, it really is.

A GB Lions tour every 4yrs and Aussie/NZ full tours here as well and we play them as GB

How are the Celtic Tigers anymore of an artificial team than Great Britain & Ireland Lions?

Would anyone actually watch a 'Celtic Tigers' team? I wouldn't, and I doubt anyone from Ireland, Scotland or Wales would to be honest.