But then we'd have more clubs than supporters in London.

Actually that would not be a bad idea, as a goal for 10 years from now. North London (Skolars) South London (Storm), West London (Broncos) and East London (Admirals) would create a real set of local derbies, and maybe attract the crowds.

But for this moment we have to work to make one London SL club financially viable, and then move on to creating a second London SL club.

We're struggling to establish a market for one club down south let alone 4.
If England are to improve then they need consistent international quality opposition.

IMO the focus in the years leading up to the next world cup should be on doubling the number of french and Welsh professional players.

For the life of me i cant ever imagine the Aussies & NZ putting in such a bad performance at a WC.

Abysmal showing from both sides. Lack of skill all over the park.

France beat GB in 1990.

Just got back and I can't say I'm encouraged for next week. The halfbacks and hookers were poor and offered very little direction. I backed McIlorum yesterday on here but that effort wasn't good enough. There is very little point playing him unless your going to let him play the full 80. His strengths lie in his aggression, toughness and workrate over a full 80 and he won't impress in the short bursts he's getting.

Aside from him I thought Roby was ok but no more and Sinfield and Chase stank the place out. I also worry about our centres because Cudjoe has gone backwards since the first game and Watkins looks injured to me.

Too late to change much now and I'm afraid we'll reach the end if the line quite abruptly next week.

At least that's progress.

Back on topic i thought the first half was pretty good. Barring a slow first 5 mins we played with patience and composure and took our chances. Everything we didn't do in the second. The amount of possession we had in the first combined with the French loosing 2 interchanges should have allowed us to put another 30 points on in the second.

So why didn't we. Patience and composure. We didn't build pressure, we didn't do the basics and instead tried to score off every set.

I worry about Rangi. There is no doubt he is a talent but i don't think he is a team player. Too many attacks break down from no one being on the same wavelength as him. IMO the best 17 players don't necessarily make the best team but it's probably too late to change the half back pairing now.

How Graham didn't get MOM is beyond me.

As for next week NZ will obviously start as strong favourites and most including myself will expect them to win. However they can be beaten. Firstly we must to the basics right. If we gift field position through penalties and lost ball we will loose. If we get into them and rattle them we have a chance. It's not rocket science, stay disciplined and composed and believe.

Nothing at all to make me feel positive going into next week. I don't want to be a typical RL Knee Jerker but I can't help it. It was a poor performance mainly due to Sinfield and Chase. Chase is just to much of a one man band trying to do it all by himself, and when he does decide to pass he leaves it too late and messes it up.

Roby actually impressed me with his running from dummy half and I thought O'Loughlin had a really good game. We look so poor in the halves and centres. We have 2 good wingers and a set of forwards who are decent enough to be up there.

we should have been putting atleast 50 past a team as poor as France tonight.

Papua New Guinea also beat us in 1990. And that was also the year we came closest to winning the Ashes in the last 40 years. Perhaps international RL was of a high stamdard back then!!!!

Hardly think the Kiwis will be bricking it after that awful second half! We just seemed to go away from everything that had worked in the first 40, is that the players going away from the game plan? Chase, Chase, what a waste of space!

He seemed to want to fight all the game. A better team would have got him sent off easily.

Our centres are also woeful.

Sinfield can kick goals, but he's poor at stand off, far too slow.

Englands perfomance tonight was pedestrian. On that display we'll get hammered next week. Thankfully our pack is not bad at all. So we have every chance.

Jesus wept. Australia and New Zealand have both made errors and looked a bit lethargic and off their game at times against teams they are about to beat easily. You can only play what's in front of you and England did enough, tried a bit of flair, made a few errors and generally didn't over-exert themselves hugely.

France gave it a shot but were terrible in attack - their ball-handling and decision-making was awful. Their defence was excellent at times but inconsistent. They were never going to win.

Whatever. This is the same England team that stood up massively to Australia in Cardiff and but for a few terrible calls from the officials could have won. This England team has all the potential in the world and if they could perform for a full 80, could beat anyone. My one reservation is Chase - a brilliantly skilled player but no-one else seems to know what he's doing half the time.

Don't get to watch much SL.

Is Rangi Chase the best Stand Off in SL? Really?

Graham was superb, great hands for a big fella. The game looked lethargic and was sloppy. NZ are easily beatable. Chuck Widdop and Burrows on for next game. We need to do what our antipodean friends do. When we get in front, put your foot harder on their throats, not start trying to mess around and do stuff different.

Ruthless and Relentless. We can beat the kiwis. No Problem.

Cronus,

I wish to god McNamara read these pages and jettisoned Chase as far away from the squad as possible. He hasn't worked in all his internationals to date. He should have looked good against France but he looked rubbish.

Shame he will never get dropped while we have sulky in charge of the national team. Maybe the next coach will not bother with him and we can actually have a new half back pairing (surely Sinfield will retire after the tournament).