Would it be successful though? I am all for promoting the game and I agree with those who think the mystery behind the whole campaign is a good way to generate interest. My main concern is whether it's truly worthwhile and not just a one-off gimmick.

Personally I agree that we should play a rugby league side that are more competition than France are at the moment to improve our chances internationally and I also feel that more spectators would be interested in going to a game that is more evenly contested but as for a SoO type scenario I really can't see it.

Firstly we would all be supporting the same side, so even a large crowd would soon dwindle over the years with the lack of an atmosphere (a bit like Leeds, Wigan or Hull at home to Catalan or Quins) & secondly who would make up the 'Exiles'? - If its a current crop of foreign players playing in Europe (which I suspect it will be) then the novelty will also wear off after a year and I reckon quite a few coaches from the top clubs might be annoyed if nearly every player from their team is called up and pick up injuries.

Maybe I'm just a cynical get but I'd prefer the RFL to have a long-term ambition to create something different (and maybe they have, lets hope I'm wrong)

Hmmm...IF it was successful this year, why not take it a bit further south in 2012.......advertise it in TNT (Give them naming rights etc) and see if we couldn't fill somewhere like Loftus road?
Crims like nothing more than a bit of jingoistic fun.....I reckon they'd roll up for it.

as for the jibe about Quins or Catalans.......I don't seem to remember hoardes of frogs teeming over the north of England last year

What many people on these boards forget is that no one in Aus gave State of Origin a chance either. Lo and behold, its the most exciting and most anticipated three games every year. Instead of condemning it early, let it grow and then see where we're at.

The RFL did so with France for four seasons and France didn't progress as many would suggest after the World Cup. Now its time for something new, and this is what they have come up with after many fans on these boards suggested doing so.

Talk about hypocrisy from some. [sizeNot necessarily Regegade.[/size

It took nigh on 70 years, and a whole lot of effort 30 years ago for origin to work. And it didnt happen immediately.

thats why I think you have this completely the wrong way round and some are doing the exact opposite of what you are saying and criticising the RFL for giving up on northern hemisphere internationals too early and not letting it grow.

If the RFL are only going to give this game 4 years to prove itself (considering thats how much time it has given the international game outside of Aus/NZ) then there is no point doing it. The concept wont prove itself in four years so it is pointless.

That is beside the obvious criticism of the RFL giving up its one international weekend during the season and choosing to play a gimmick select X1 rather than an actual international.

France haven't been given up on though. We will still be playing them, just at a different (and more convenient for them) time of the season.

The difference between England/France and NSW/QLD is that the latter had games that weren't predictable walkovers that could be built upon from day one. France will most likely not beat England for a long long time, and at the moment (especially mid-season) have struggled to even get within the half-century. It's just not going to be of a big interest until this changes, and the RFL need something that can get as close as possible to it for now until another nation gets there. We're still playing them and developing them at another time of the year.

The French should be playing a Championship select England team

really? when are England next playing france?


We arent playing them, they get the chance, if they are the best of the other northern hemisphere sides once ever 4 years. Its less than a token effort.

Between 1956 and 1980 Queensland won one series.

They have won 5 series in a row twice in the last 30 years and 8 of the first 10 post 1980 SoO series. Thats pretty uncompetitive.

It is swings and roundabouts, sometimes you are up and sometimes down. If you want to pretend origin was instantly competitive and instantly successful, fine, pretend what you like but history will show you were wrong.

Origin is a success because they have stayed with it when it didnt look competitive, they stayed with it when one team struggled, stayed with it when the fans didnt appreciate it and built it into what it is today. Precisely the opposite of what we have done with France and that is the reason it hasnt been a success because we didnt put the time, effort and commitment to make it so.

I like the concept of playing an exiles team, but i don't think this should be at the expense of playing Wales, Ireland or France. It should be in addition to.

er....
England v all of the above...would be a slaughter...with the above all fielding 13 each at the one time

England Knights, should play the "lesser' teams...england should be jetting down for a game against aus one week, NZ the second........2 week break of SL......bin magic to make way.....
The international game of Rugby League has neither the time, money or patience to put up with a record like that of Italy in the 6 nations.
2000 entered comp....55 games....10% win ratio
beaten Scotland (2) Wales (2) and France (1).
Neither can they afford the 43 years it took France to become competative and actually win something....

they need a 2 tier comp......with touring sides from down under bringing development squads to play these 'minnows".....sorry but the cart is well before the horse with international RL and it will take a massive leap of financial faith for that to change....starting with ESL/NRL....AFL/RFL......money from TV tricling down, players released for internationals.....etc..etc...never going to happen!

I have no problem with it being the England Knights team as long as it is given the promotion and place in the calendar it deserves.

It should be England vs Exiles


France vs England Knights

as a double header.
It could even be a two match series.


That would be enough to get the fans out. I would travel to that.

I could easily see the Exiles winning. I would like the RFL to look for a sponsor for the game witha £120K winner takes all pot. maybe even sell the rights seperately to terrestrial TV as a one off.


Then in the autumn there should be a GB team playing in the 4 nations and a competition with ireland, scotland, wales and france and england knights playing

just before the 4nations mate

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