I disagree on your four nations point although i understand where you are coming from. Its actually irrelevant that is wales or in fact that the exiles would be more competitive. We have at last one part of the international structure correct and that is if you are at the correct level of european or pacific rugby league you can qualify for the four nations if you win the relevant comp. That gives us so much in terms of international development its not funny. The european cup, every two years is suddenly a wonderful, competitive and meaningful competition. We've never had that and to throw it away would be suicide.
I enjoyed the exiles game and think we should co-ordinate it with the free weekend that the nrl is proposing for the mid seaon anzac test. That whole weekend should be midseason international weekend. Aus v kiwi, france v wales, ireland vs scotland, canada v yanks, lebanon vs serbia and england versus exiles. That would be a cracker of a weekend imo.

Love this idea!

England Knights need a game as well though IMO.

McNamara needs to go now. No attacking structure whatsoever. One-out rugby will not win International Test matches. Englands tries came from a missed tackle and an interception. Not one genuine try-scoring chance created in the whole 80 minutes

England have talented attacking players. We've seen evidence of this in Super league on a weekly basis. We just don't have a coach that knows how to use them

I personally thought England were woeful and i feel extremely sorry for the RFL - they have made a huge effort to market the backside off this game and despite no national media coverage - pulled in a very respecitable crowd.

The product however was aweful - the idea was great, the concept was great but the England team looked pathetic.

I'm afraid after tonights showing, those down under who call our competition amateur have a point. The standard of our players across the board is shameful.

They lack skill, speed, intelligence + I thought the effort, passiona and agression was non-existant. I think there was the odd player who looked relatively useful and that was Sam Tomkins and Ben Westwood.

The England crowd booed Tomkins probably because they were bored of a totally unimaginative and talentless England team. Peacock needs to concentrate on his own game before critiscing a healthy crowd who spent their own hard earned money to come and watch a bunch of amatuers.

Tomkins - the best we have by a mile but had no opportunities
Briscoe - I dont care what you say - he is average
Shenton - average
Bridge - I continue to ask why on earth he is plays representative football - embarrassing
Hall - not bad but aint great
Sinfield - not good enough and never has been at this level. Not only is he not big enough, fast enough or agressive enough but his tactiacl kicking is dire
Myler - non existant. Brough is miles better and we desperately need him for the 4 nations
Peacock - good enough at Leeds but thought he was too old for this level 2 years ago... international retirement pls
Robinson - actually stood out but should have been coming off the bench behind a dominant pack
Graham - not bad but not great either - think he will find it very tough down under
Wilkin - no where near good enough
Westwood - thick as too planks but at least gave his all
O'Loughlin - not good enough at this level and is miles behind a Farrell or Sculthorpe

McIlorum - sounded like a typical English RL player when interviewed pre-match. 1 brain cell might be hard to find. Average
Morley - embarrassingly stands out compared to our inempt forwards - class act
Carvell - not good enough at this level
Tomkins - not bad i guess

I think the RFL will have to change the venue if they have any chance of getting a 1/2 decent crowd to turn up next year. I was gutted I couldnt go and when I watched it I'm glad I didnt.

The exiles were exciting and energetic - not bad for a bunch of old men.

They wanted to send a message down under - I'm sure Billy Salter and Benji Marshall & Co are having sleepless nights!

England were awful and its better they lost as a win would of really put the blinkers on. The exiles looked dangerous every time they were in the attacking final 3rd. There was a lot more flair and creativity with they did and just look at the huge difference with the number of clean breaks. England just played 1 out football trying to grind the exiles down which is just not good enough. Its all I ever saw Bradford do when McNamara was there was it isnt a surprise this is his plan with England.

If the 4 nations is on dry ground England are in for some heavy defeats. If the Exiles would of been more clinical when they needed to be the scoreline would of been worse. The final result flattered england as there was only 1 side who really looked like winning.

I love the irony

agree completely. also if we throw players like larne patrick, lee mossop and paul wood into the mix (all form players) it looks a very different and much more robust team. Brough, Burgess, Ellis, Roby, robinson, wood, crabtree, westwood, widdop, both tomkins etc. thats the core of a 17 that can do the business anyday if properly organised.
i would also like to make special mention of ben westwood who was a true warrior last night.
i would also like to add that i really enjoyed the game. its certainly much more entertaining to watch and no doubt much more useful to the players and coaching staff than handing the french their s would be.

I think it should the game should defiently happen again and hopefully will become a regular thing.

Do England have a player like Manu? I dont think they have ball carrier like him who can break tackles and keep making yards even when his in contact.

What is happening with Jack Reed at Brisbane?

Potential Rookie of the Year in the NRL - surely the answer to England's prayers at centre?

Born and bred is Castleford isn't he?

carvell, thats what he's been doing excellently this year, making metres after contact, his leg drive has been amazing.

Me two mate .

Correct. One for the future for certain.

I personally enjoyed the game. For the first time, I saw a desire from an England team to put in the extra effort to keep the opposition out.

Did this game serve its purpose. I think it did, not only did we expose our players to a higher level of football, but it also allows the coaching team to see which players may or may not be able to handle it. I am a firm believer that in order to improve, we need to get our elite players playing at a higher level more often.

In fact, I would also like to see the England Knights team play the exiles. We may find that we have a few 'fringe' players that actually are able to step up their game when playing with and against better players.

I would love for us to make this a three game series. I think the England team would improve a lot if we were going to be playing the exiles again in a few days.

Paul Wood anyone?