Of course it is.
Frances problem ultimately is that England are moving so much faster trying to catch Australia they can't keep up with the resources available to them

heres a quick,off the top of my head,Other nationalities team


1. brent webb
2. scott donald
3. matt king
4. matt gidley
5. amos roberts
6. brett kearney
7. matt orford
8. kylie leulaui
9. danny buderus
10. mark o'meley
11. craig fitzgibbon
12. tony puletua
13. dallas johnson

14. ali lauititi
15. Iafeta Paleaaesina
16. joel clinton
17. Thomas Leuluai

that side would pose far bigger problems than france could ever cause

If I was an aussie player and the RFL said, 'fancy playing in a nothing game to make England better so they can catch Australia?'

I'd say, no ta.

thats cos your a miserable sod....

I wonder how much it would cost the RFL to insure some of the premier players in SL against injury in what would amount to a meaningless friendly?

You've then got the issue of clearing a free weekend in the calendar, as you can't expect clubs to play without their England representatives and any they have called up to an Other Nationalities team.

theres the prospect of a worldwide international weekend being setup anyway...

I suppose it's a bit meaningless like SOO and the ANZAC test down under.

You just don't get battled hardened players from them you.

Stop it, my sides are splitting.

So a game between England and a motley collection of overseas players thrown together for a week, with nothing but a bit of pride riding on the result, would have the same intensity as Origin or an Anzac Test?

Do you remember how "intense" that GB v Rest of the World one-off at Headingley was (late 80s?)

How are things on Planet Leaguefan?

we'll just keep flogging the french then eh?

It's the only (genuine) game in town, at least until the Welsh get up to speed.

If the purpose of the game is to raise the intensity and help prepare players for the next step up then why not play a proper "Test trial" of England v England "A"?

It probably wouldn't pull in much of a crowd, but it'll be more competitive than playing against the French.

Do you really believe that?
Buderus at 32 would be unlikely to replace Robbie Farah or Michael Ennis
Matt King? who's Origin spot would he take?
Fitzy at 32 had a second wind in 2008 but he knew his time was up with the shortened contract the Roosters offered him, they did not think he would be playing Rep games again.
O' Meley has not played at Origin level since 2006 and was a fringe first grader before leaving Australia

This team of other Nations... Why would they represent a Nation? why would it be called an International seeing as they do not represent any Country.

Maybe England should play Oz in a mid season Test?............
Oops, that has already been done with a less than spectacular result.
I think the GB team Coach or Manager said it would never be done again due to the lack of preparation and 1 days travel etc etc.
What he did not say but everyone knew was he did not want to face an Oz Test side that was mid season in full swing and rhythm.

If it's based on teams playing other teams close to them in the world rankings, it will be competitive, which is what we need.

Do rugby union struggle to get a team together for the Barbarians side? No nearly everyone wants to play for them and crowds flock to see them

from what i've heard it's all dependant on the next NRL tv deal...with TV bosses wanting to move origin to weekends which would free everyone else to play internationals....