exiles game

Quote: pyeman "The French have no chance of improving if they don't play sides like England every year, they can have all the confidence in the world come the world cup but thats going to do them bugger all good if they haven't been tested.

It also damages our international reputation no end as it says to everyone around the world that rl cant be bothered with playing proper internationals.

I'm yet to be convinced that England will get any better playing this game either, there will be no ellis, widdup or burgess and with the threat of losing overseas players for this game a lot of english players will suddenly develop 'injuries' the week before the game so there clubs can feild decent sides, it will be nothing like a full england side and will lead to a lot of players backing up and therefore more likely to get injured. Does anyone really think that the exiles are going to give it there all in this game, no way is someone playing for a gimmick going to be as committed as someone playing for his country.

Just because the france game is one sided doesn't mean it has no credibility, there are one sided matches in football and no one has a problem with it, playing proper internationals certainly gives our sport more credibility than having to make up gimmicks.'"

What a load of crap.
The Exiles won't give it there all seems to be the popular opinion of the anti-Exiles brigade. They're professionals (and have been some of the best in the world at some part of their career). Do you not think they might want to be a part of history? Do you think they'll want to be part of the first Exiles team to lose? Or even get hammered? I'm sorry, but it is a desperate excuse.

Players will get "injured"? Why wouldn't they get "injured" before the France game? If they're "injured", they wouldn't be available for selection in their SL club's game that weekend anyway because they'd be "injured". Again, another desperate excuse.

Then there's the "it's disrespectful to the French" milarky. From what I've been hearing, we're apparently playing them before the 4N anyways, so we're still giving them a game. France are massively disadvantaged during the season, with only one club to draw from. Also, France still have the option to play Wales instead (why do they HAVE to play us, and why do we HAVE to play them? Why don't we HAVE to play Wales? And why don't Wales HAVE to play anyone?). Again, another excuse.

Some people don't like the idea that they're not a "proper" representative team. That's fine. If that's you're opinion, I respect that. But don't make up a load of bullsh*t to go with it. To me, it's not a case of "proper rep team" vs "made-up rep team". It's a case of "predictably boring walkover game" vs "unpredictable result". For me, it's the latter every time. I watch RL to be entertained, and I couldn't give a stuff what others think about certain games so long as I'm being entertained and following a team that I have allegiance to. Whether that be Leeds Akkies, Uni of Bradford, Leeds Met, Cottingham Tigers, Hull FC, Yorkshire, England, GB or whatever. As long as one team means something to me is enough, and the more competitive the game is likely to be the more interest I'll have in it.

It may be different for some others, and that's your opinion.