Never been a fan of the Exiles concept; for me the job of the mid season representative games should be to get OUR players who will be representing the Home Nations (or Great Britain when we come back to our senses) into camp and experience that camaraderie and cross-fertilisation of ideas. The Exiles guys made their decision when they came to Super League to leave that all behind.

I would love to see a three match "Saxons v Celts" series. Celts players could wear red, green and blue socks depending on their allegiance, and choosing to play for the Celts would NOT exempt eligibility for England.

So what would the criteria be for being able to play for the 'Celts' or the 'Saxons'?

Ancestry similar to what the international game has now. Brough qualified for Scotland and England, could therefore be a Celt and still play for England. Terry O and Barry Mac played for Ireland. I'm sure the Sinfield brothers played for different countries; lots more examples like that.

Isn't the State of Origin system is based upon which junior club you first played with. That is why they show the name of each players junior club when they give out the line-ups.

Saxons vs Celts is a great idea. Add in France, too.

As has been alluded to, LMS, Clubb, Griffin, Tomkins and Henderson were all born in the south of England. The first three came through southern clubs. That, remember, was in the days before the southern Performance Pathway was created - it now matches the structures in the north.

This old chestnut again?!

Yorkshire/Lancashire isn't the best way forward. It doesn't get enough interest and excludes everyone outside the North.
Lancashire isn't even the county of any SL clubs anymore. How are people meant to get behind a team that represents an area that ceased to exist 40 years ago?

England vs Exiles is the best way to go for top level trialling. It involves the whole country, it will be a higher quality game and it will give the team a chance to gel together.

I think however that an Roses type game, given its history, could have a place in the game, but just not at the top. Why not have it as a double header with the Exiles game, using the best players not selected for England, and use it as a trial game for those not in the squad. The Knights will destroy Ireland most likely, so it won't exactly be a decent trial for them. It also kind of undermines the international game if test sides are getting destroyed by reserve teams.

Next year, if we have this rep break again, I'd go with:
Double Header on the Saturday evening featuring England vs Exiles / Yorkshire vs Lancashire (or North West if we want to be a bit more up-to-date whilst also including the Cumbrians).

France vs Wales on the Saturday night.

Scotland vs Ireland on the Sunday.

5nations mid season tournament, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. GB play in 4 nations and tours. Home nations in World Cups.

The exiles, as a concept is a nonsense and undermines any semblance of having an international game in this hemisphere.

What about about England vs England Lions? I believe the NZ RU team have something similar (Probables vs Possible's I think)

It is based on the Club where you first play grade footy, as you say those Clubs are listed under their names at the start of the game

Are there any current SOO who arn't representing the State of their birth?

There have been several over the years.

In the Current squads, Inglis was born in NSW.

Surely though if you were brought up in NSW you'd have no desire to play for Qld?

I know I wouldn't want to play for Lancashire just because I played my first junior game there.

It would depend on what age you moved I guess.
Most young players are just happy to get a Rep spot with any team.

Peter Sterling was born in Qld but moved to NSW at an early age, he probably felt ok playing for the Blues as he spent much of his life brought through the NSW rep teams.

British SOO:- You play for the area you start your professional career, to make it tasty have Yorkshire against the rest, Lets face it everybody hates us Yorkies & we think that there are only two types of human! Yorkies & those who wish they were.

edited for accuracy