About 15 - 17 k

The 'overseas all-stars' would pose more of a challenge to England, but it will take more than this to give us a chance against the better teams. Youth development is probably the biggest hurdle.

Agree completely, if this is to be played it should be in addition to proper internationals against proper countries. I'd prefer us to avoid playing it at all and play PNG, France, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa anyone basically. This is a nothing game that will hopefully go the same way as the execrable Roses matches

How about taking an England game to Lang Park when it reopens to play a charity game against Queensland to raise money for the flood victims?

Loads of good publicity and a better opponent

As much as I agree with the sentiment.......I doubt ESL clubs would be happy to lose players during the season for up to 10 days.

Even when you compare that suggestion to such ideas as electric teeth, putting out your hand to stop an oncoming train or supporting the referee at a Hull FC derby match that is possibly the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard.

2 each from the 12 English clubs to make up the squad, have additional subs and unlimited interchanges to protect the players and re-arrange Crusaders to play Catalans that weekend.

Ahhhhh

You were joking!!


Sorry for my previous post.

You had me there.

Or better still...why not just make the England v All Stars game a charity fund raiser for the relief fund. Maybe even Play it at Loftus road/Craven Cottage and fill the ground with Anzacs?

The season is crammed enough without ANOTHER game to mess with it......

Compared with abandoning one of 3 credible international sides in the Northern hemisphere to play a meaningless match against a team of journeymen with no reason to care about the outcome and expecting it to attract a crowd it is a genius.

It may be stupid, but it is still far more sensible than the proposed 'international'

Who is this 'credible international Northern hemisphere side' you speak of?

I do hope you are not speaking of France.

France are so poor even the Welsh beat them.

They are a recognised international opponent with their own league, a history and tradition including a World Cup win and they are one of two opponents in the NH that have professional players playing in their own country.

If PNG are a credible opponent so are France.

We need to nurture France like the IRB did to Italy, regular games against ourselves as well as Wales, Scotland, ireland, touring sides etc;

The day France become a credible opponent in an international rugby league fixture against England, Australia or New Zealand is the day my dog learns how to speak latin.

They have been before, I see no reason why they cannot be again.

Even if they don't, a match against a country is worth considerably more than a friendly against a made up team.

PNG would hammer France at the moment and even when PNG play, the fans don't turn up. 11k for Australia, 7k for New Zealand. If you think PNG V England would have attracted any more than 5k If played in NZ or Aus on its own you're nuts.....that's why there was the double header

For the international game to grow, the top 3 nations need to field second string sides against developing nations. Like it or no, France fall into this category. There is nothing to be gained from 60 point hammerings....nothing at all.
I believe this all stars game is a waste of time as well......I'd much rather see England fly to the southern hemisphere mid season for a test against NZ and a test against Australia. Scrap magic weekend to make room for it!
Let France, Wales, PNG, Tonga et al play their own tournament.....until anyone other than the top 3 have a chance of winning the RLWC it either needs to be scrapped or have a shed load of money thrown at it.