Former Great Britain coach Phil Larder has called for England's mid-season international with France to be replaced by a match against a team of Super League-based Australians. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... arder.html

Former Great Britain coach Phil Larder has called for England's mid-season international with France to be replaced by a match against a team of Super League-based Australians. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... arder.html

I thought the plan was to fill the France team with French-qualified Aussies anyway?

What about a french invitation 13. The french players need the experience with 2 or 3 SL based antiopodeans to bolster the side to make it more competitive and get a bit more interest going.

England vs SL XIII
France vs Wales

A Celtic and frog select side would be good all round

Maybe he has a point, ultimately I would love to see a competitive game between England and France but I still think were a bit off that yet.

Maybe if we did play the SL select it should be in addition to a game against France, France should also be playing Wales on a regular basis, maybe they will in the new euro cup.

Crusaders/Catalans vs England?

I agree with Larder. Plus, if we're playing France in the the Four Nations most years, then why play them twice?

If they can make this into some kind of event, like building a brand around the other team (like they have Barbarians in union, why not Exiles or something?) and playing it in London to tap into the ex-pat population. Could even play it on ANZAC day (isn't that right next to St George's Day anyway, so could work both ways).

Whilst these are playing, that leaves room for France to play Wales in a mid-season test, and maybe even Scotland and Ireland. It would be good to have a proper international weekend.

St George's, Day April 23rd
ANZAC Day, April 25th

An England vs SL XIII match on St George's Day?

Alternate between 23rd and 25th each season?

Call them 'ANZAC Exiles' or something like, gives them more of an identity, but yeah I'd go to that.

Like someone else said, get Ireland v Scotland and France v Wales playing too.

Could be a winner.

England v France
England v Wales
and
France v Wales

Championship select v France would be a better option at the moment

wasnt the point of this game to help aid the development of the game in France?

So a Championship select would be a better option at the moment , at least the French would probably win , and you would be offering a reward to the players in the lower tier

Good idea. I'd definately go and watch that! Can't see it happening though