We have as bad a history of taking players representing minor nations and for want of a better word 'poaching' them to play for ourselves as the Australians have.

We have no need to do this and it is simply indicative of the shoddy and disrespectful way anybody outside England, NZ, and Australia are treated by international rugby league.

What about the players who would like to represent Poland, Holland, etc. but choose to represent England because they are the only opportunity tey have of playing against tier one nations? Are you showing a lack of respect to the international game outside of the British Isles and the Pacific Isles?

It's not showing a lack of respect at all. It's just life. We have the systems and we are developing the players, hence why we are tier one and they aren't. To expect them to give something back to the system that produced them isn't showing a lack of respect. In fact, anyone that thinks that we shouldn't have reserve representative teams to help our international team develop at all levels for the reason that it would force these players to play for other international teams that they may not want to is showing a lack of respect to THIS country IMO.

They may also have stayed with England had they been given the choice, and wanted to progress to the England first team that way.

Nobody said "competing with the Aussies" is the mentality. There's the Kiwis, too. If wanting to beat the two top teams in the world is the wrong mentality, then maybe you should tell us what is? I'm pretty sure it is the aim of England to be the best in the world. A fair crack of the whip works both ways. They need the opportunity to progress through the ranks in this country as well. At the moment, their only choice of representative rugby is to play for a Celtic nation before they are deemed good enough for England. Even the Celtic nations have 'A' teams.

Just to bring this topic back to "The Exiles" I find it hard to understand the concept. In theory, it throws up a potential dream team match. The likes of Chase, Mason, Monaghan coming together for a big game against the England national side but will it really end up like that?

Why would any of the current crop of overseas stars playing in Super League want to play for this team? There is no honour or prestige unlike playing for your country so why would they be interested?

Even in the Yorkshire/Lancashire games there was that honour of representing your county, but where is the honour in this side?

Why would any Super League clubs want their overseas players involved in this game, risking injury?

Also, if lets say Willie Mason was selected for the Exiles and got into a scrap with one of the English forwards again, would he be at risk of being banned for Super League games?

Maybe I'm undervaluing the reward of getting one over on the English, but surely this is a nothing game to everyone but England?

Ask Clint Newton or Justin Morgan as just 2 examples of people who have been pushing this idea as a better hit up for England rather then the French.








<-stands back and waits for Smokey to throw his toys out of his pram again

Chris Irvine states on Twitter that Brian McClennan will be coaching the Exiles.

I'm sure if Clint Newton picks up a season ending injury then Justin Morgan's attitude towards the game won't be quite as sunny.

What about them? They should be given all the help possible to develop the game their game, introduce their national side and allow their national side to play in international competition. Against everyone.


Im not saying we shouldnt have youth representative sides, im not sure of the point of reserve international sides. Either you are playing for your nation or not. But i have nothing really against them other than their pointlessness, if you want one fine, my reaction is 100% "meh".

And im not saying we should force players to play for other international sides they may not want to, im not sure where you think anyone has said this. In fact i would go as far as to say you are well aware nobody has said this and are simply introducing it to back up a point you know to be weak.

All I have said is that if you choose to play for Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Fiji, USA, Tonga, Samoa etc etc, you have the same opportunities to compete at the top level in international competition as you do if you choose to represent England, Australia or NZ. Because otherwise we are incentivising players to choose to play for England, Australia, NZ to the detriment of the other nations then complaining that they arent up to standard. They never will be when they never play us and we steal all their best players.

It isnt about forcing anyone to do anything, its about giving players and the international game the opportunity.

Believe me when I say that Aussie sports teams/individuals like nothing more than to stick one over the Poms.

There will be no shortage of players willing to prove a point!

Oh well.

Thats an england victory then.

Maybe not but that isn't the discussion ATM.
We are possibly more at risk as well with our percentage of Aussies being higher.

Is there not a stronger case for a probables v possibles England game? A game consisting of, perhaps, the likes of Cudjoe v Shenton, Roby v Robinson, Briscoe v Hall etc etc...

Double the number of players clubs have to give up for a week?

Is the game being played on a normal SL weekend? If so, there's not a cat in hells chance of doubling up the squads with the clubs' consents.

Or alternatively just watch the usual superleague fixtures