The op is saying the quality in overseas players will decrease so lets plan in advance.

How can we get get fans behind when clubs treat the games so poorly.

How can the clubs get behind this sport when the fans treat the games so poorly?

We talk about wanting international RL, but as fans we hardly back it. Whether "real" internationals or an Exiles game, attendances rank poorly compared to the club games.

Because it's not competitive?

I grew up with wembley selling out.

Really?

Well nearly



I'm not sure of the official attendances but I can remember the stadium been full.

Early to mid 90's.

Why do you think it's not competitive? Our 3-0 series win over NZ a few years back means our fans think we'll walk over them every time?

Until England start beating the Exiles on a regular basis by 30/40 points then the matches should continue, but just one match, and the pricing should be realistic and consistent, no last minute panic offers

Agree with most of that. Exiles is a well meaning but hopeless concept. The benefit of giving the England team a couple of games is negligible against the real task of raising the standards of our players, which can only be tackled directly, and is best done by making the most of the game's strength - the club game ( true both in the NRL and here ) . The only hope (and its a slim one) for our standards is that the NRL see fit to get involved in some form of expanded WCC, which needs to involve games spread through the season ( this can still be acheived with only one overseas trip, on which you play your two overseas away group fixtures). Those regular big equivalents to soccer's 'European Nights' are what will drive standards forward consistently. far more than a brief jamboree tournament at the end of the season. Eventually, if and when we're good enough, Australia might then start to show more interest in tours, etc.

...and by the way, on the subject of standards...it never ceases to amaze how many people think that lowering the cap will raise standards. The same conspiracy theorists who castigate clubs like Wigan and Warrington for so-called breaking the cap, also take great delight in pointing out how both clubs would get stuffed in the NRL.

I don't think Yorkshire v Lancashire needs to be resurrected tbh. There is simply no time for it in the current schedule. It won't be particularly well supported and there will be grey areas regarding player's selections (can Cumbrians play for Lancs, do you class where you were born or where you play/made your debut for example).

The Exiles concept needs to be stuck with IMO, but as a one off game. The 2nd game this year was beyond pointless. I agree with what the OP says about the reduction in quality of the players available, but's that's just one of those things.

Let's include all non English players in the future.

Bring back Yorkshire v Lancashire but also include those from outside the two counties and the country by looking at which of the two counties the player made their debut in or which county the club they joined first was in.

In the short term the better foreigners would play and as more and more English players play in super league those foreigners would be edged out
It would give the better English players experience of joining a camp, being put together with unfamiliar players together and building team spirit and game plans quickly like they need to do for international series/tournaments and give more players than present the opportunity to play at a higher level (two teams rather than one), it should be made clear that a place in the main squad is on the line in the roses match.
The two coaches could also come together for England for the end of season series.

Although the impact would be less than actually fixing the league and playoff structure.