Quote: Eastbourne Warrior "There have been supporters and critics of the Exiles concept, i understand what the RFL are trying to do with it as without doubt it is currently more competitive than games against France or Wales would be and there is no substitute for actually playing games for England.
So what would you do for international RL if you had the choice? Keep the Exiles? Bring back Lancashire V Yorkshire?
I believe International RL is fundamentally important if we have any chance of growing as a sport. I also think that the games need to be proper internationals rather than against a team of foreigners thrown together at a few days notice.
IMO we have to look at a Rugby Union style 5 nations annual tournament involving England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France. I am well aware that in the short term there is only one winner and the score lines will be pretty big. However if it was a guaranteed annual tournament a lot more players would put there hand up for the Celtic nations hopefully over time becoming competitive.
One off tests against Australia or NZ are simply not workable mid season and we need to introduce a proper international calender.
If you look at all the other major team sports in this country. Football have countless internationals, cricket don't stop playing tests, RU have the 6 nations & autumn internationals, we have 1 game against the RL equivalent of the Baba's which for RU is a bit of fun.
In football Peter Shilton has 125 caps, England cricket i think is Alec Stewart has 133, Jason leonard in RU has 119 caps. England (And GB combined) RL record is Morley at 49. It shows relatively how few games we play compare to other sports.'"
Spot on, we need to play more international RL. Club RL wont improve our image and get the wider public involved. Mid season we need to have a dedicated weekend of international RL. England could travel do under for a text against NZ or OZ. France vs Wales. Ireland v.s Scotland. Fiji v.s PNG all at one weekend.