Forgot to do the bench, would have ellis, 2 props + an impact player

Can someone give me an actual decent reason why we should dump the home nations for GB? The name and kit don't seem to counter the obvious benefits that playing as the home nations has, and "tradition" can easily be countered with the fact we were England well before we were GB in this sport.

A GB tour would be nice, but only for nostalgic reasons, not for any actual benefits.

And we'd still lose.

Lomax will have to improve considerably to start in the halves for England in the WC.

We'd be the EXACT same team. So most likely, yeah.

Arguably the best back rower in the world barring Thaiday, and you'd have him on the bench. He's not exactly an impact player. I'd having himstarting with Hock.

To be fair, based on test performances it's arguable that he's not even the best English backrower nevermiind the best in the world.

What benefits? Playing as the home nations is doing nothing but weakening Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The best players will always opt for England whereas in the past they could play for their home nation in World Cups and other comps with the possibility of still qualifying for GB tours. Conversely, should a top player decide he wants to stick with his home nation then England (as the only home nation in with a chance of winning a few games) miss out.

And I know about the 'Sport England' funding.


Name me some memorable England RL moments.

For GB I can name the Rorke's Drift Test 1914, the Battle of Brisbane 1952 (Alan Prescott was a friend of my parents), a few World Cups, Sydney 1988, Wembley 1990, Old Trafford 1990, Melbourne 1992, Wembley 1994, Sydney 2006 - Hampo getting sent off against NZ, Schofield's tries in '82, Lydon sliding in at Old Trafford, Edwards' sending off, Barrie Mc's 30 second appearance before being binned at OT - I'm sure there are far more but I'm thinking from memory.


GB stirs far more than nostalgia. I, and many others, simply can't get as passionate about England RL, whereas Great Britain (and yes, the iconic kit) stirs far more. For me, England RL is just too forced and has no true RL identity.

I don't see why we can't compete as the home nations for things like World Cups and some smaller home nations comps but compete as GB for an Ashes or Kiwi series without jeopardising Sport England funding.
I'd like to see something like -
Year 1 - 5 Nations (Northern Hemisphere - England, Australia, NZ, France & Wales)
Year 2 - Ashes Series alternating between here & Oz. 3 game series as GB
Year 3 - 5 Nations (Southern Hemisphere - England, Australia, NZ, PNG & Samoa or best of the others)
Year 4 - Kiwi Series alternating between here & NZ. 3 game series as GB.
Year 5 - World Cup

I know most go on a 4 year cycle but I don't see why we can't have a 5 year cycle. It gives whoever is staging it more time to prepare a decent World Cup.
I'd also have a yearly mid-season comp of Yorkshire, Lancashire & the winners of Wales v France.

Tbf I'd take more note of how he's regarded in the NRL week in week out rather than the odd games he's plays for England each season. The only thing against him this season when considering him playing for England is he's missed alot due to injury. Hocks a great player but he isn't as good as Ellis. Saying that, the both of them are quite abit ahead of the next best English backrower imo.

westwood?????????

Presumably because it avoids overlaps in key events?
4 Year Cycle from 2010 - Football World Cup/Commonwealth/Winter Olympics etc
4 Year Cycle from 2011 - Rugby Union WC
4 Year Cycle from 2012 - Olympics, Football Euros etc
4 Year Cycle from 2013 - Rugby League World Cup

On a 5 year cycle we clash
2018 - Football etc
2023 - Union etc
2028 - Olympics etc

Sam Tomkins

Josh Charnley
Jack Reed
Ryan Atkins
Ryan Hall

Gareth Widdop
Jonny Lomax

Sam Burgess
James Roby
James Graham

Gareth Ellis
Gareth Hock
Sean O'Loughlin

Lee Mossop
Ben Westwood
Garreth Carvell
Kevin Sinfield.

Seriously, people picking Lomax over Brough or any other scrum half for that matter.

I'd say so yes.

I just think Roby needs to be on the pitch for the full 80 and there are other hookers England would benefit from.
Roby can still take the od scoot from the ptb. He is that good that he could outplay a lot of players in there own position.

Burrow or Robinson from the bench is a must.
Maybe then moving roby to 13 is an option but there is certainly no reason to take roby off the field.

Tomkins
Hall
Reed
Atkins / watkins
Charnley
Widdop
Brough
Graham
Mcclurum
Burgess
Hock
Ellis
Roby

Crabtree
burrow
Lockers
Lynch / Morley / Manu

If people want Both Engalnd and the Lions to play, how about...

European Tri Nations, with England, France and Wales
(and a emergining European nations cup with Ireland, Scotland and Italy or Russia)...during the season with winner plays the Exiles and then after that have a 2 match test series withGreat Britain and France.
Least you can be able to see both Engalnd and the Lions play

obviously you don't........sport england said it did'nt matter if we play as england or GB....as both teams would be considered the "national team".....


as for wales,scotland & ireland going backward

clueless

Go on then smart, explain how only competing as England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland benefits everybody. How we're all stronger for it.

Playing as GB is the only way you might attract interest from families in scotland, Wales and N ireland. The typical middle aged 'mummy' who has no real interest in the sport but still likes to be seen supporting GB could boost gates when we play international fixtures. This is shown through the likes of Murray who when conveyed as doing it for GB generates interest from those who otherwise wouldn't care, they only care if they have someone to support. Especially with the olympics, Murray's success in wimbledon, the jubilee etc this is the best time to press forward the concept of getting behind the rugby league team too.

If for no other reason!



as opposed to this

Barring a great kicking game, Danny Brough doesn't offer a great deal. Does he create with ball in hand?

I think Watkins showed Defensively why he should be in Yesterday. That 2nd half he was outstanding and any breaks Wigan made in the 1st half were all down to Jamie Jones-Buchanans inability to keep an eye in what's happening in front of him. He's also one of the best attacking centres I have ever seen. His footwork just bofore he hits the line confuses people no ends up. He scores and creates tries that look easy in the end but it's only because his footwork is that good that it looks this way.

After yesterday sinfield burrow and McGuire all showed they still should be in the mix, also bjb is a serious challenger to charnley and briscoe for the other wing spot

Im not sure he is. I think Charnley and Briscoe are a class above BJB imo. Sinfield's underrated by all but Leeds fans, i'd play Widdop but I can certainly see McN's plan in playing a British based player of Sinfields quality in such a key position. Is he the best int class 6 we've had? No but I don't think he let anyone down in the internationals.