The point of the match on Saturday is simple , It tells us where the French are in development terms , and at the moment they are no further than they were 4/5 years ago

Does this mean we shouldn't play them ? , No , we must keep the mid season International going no matter what

The French squad will be tested against lesser opposition when they compete in the Euro cup in November , this is when they must perform if they are to retain their place in the 2011 Quad nations

The problem the French have in developing a quality team to compete with England and ultimatley the Aussies/Kiwi's is that any real talent will be poached by the French union clubs , they have a very difficult job on their hands

The solution ? , well once again it comes down to money , pure and simple , the best athlete's in France will play union or move to union when the money is on offer , so the problem is , how do the French RL clubs find more money ?

The sad fact is France are only included in the 4 nations to give England a chance of winning a game if NZ have an off day.

France have no chance of beating England NZ or Australia in any 4 nations and their inclusion is a total waste of time.

Totally incorrect , the inclusion of a 4 th team both evens out the fixtures and gives something for countries in both hemispheres something to play for

Well... the fixtures worked pretty well when it was the old 'tri nations' didn't they?

Seriously.

What is the point in Australia v France? or NZ v France? England are probably the closest nation to the French in terms of talent and even they can flog them.

France as a national side are a bit of a joke.

They might beat Wales or Ireland... but one of the so called 'big 3'??


Nope.

New Zealand ANZAC 2010:
1. Lance Hohaia - NZ Warriors
2. Sam Perrett - Sydney Roosters
3. Junior Sa'u - Newcastle Knights
4. Steve Matai - Manly Sea Eagles
5. Jason Nightingale - St. George Illawarra Dragons
6. Benji Marshall - Wests Tigers
7. Kieran Foran - Manly Sea Eagles
8. Frank-Paul Nu'uausala - Sydney Roosters
9. Issac Luke - South Sydney Rabbitohs
10. Sam Rapira - NZ Warriors
11. Bronson Harrison - Canberra Raiders
12. Zeb Taia - Newcastle Knights
13. Adam Blair - Melbourne Storm
14. Aaron Heremaia - NZ Warriors
15. Sika Manu - Melbourne Storm
16. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - Sydney Roosters
17. Ben Matulino - NZ Warriors

New Zealand Club Based - 4
Australia Club Based - 13

France 2010 International:
1. Constant Villegas - Toulouse Olympique*
2. Nicolas Piquemal - Lezignan*
3. Cyril Gossard - Catalans Dragons
4. Sebastien Raguin - Catalans Dragons
5. Frederic Vaccari - Catalans Dragons
6. Tony Gigot - Catalans Dragons
7. Nicolas Munoz - Lezignan*
8. David Ferriol - Catalans Dragons
9. Gregory Mounis - Catalans Dragons
10. Remi Casty - Catalans Dragons
11. Olivier Elima - Catalans Dragons
12. Jamal Fakir - Catalans Dragons
13. Andrew Bentley - UTC*
14. Julien Touxagas - Catalans Dragons
15. Mathieu Griffi - Toulouse Olympique*
16. Michael Simon - Catalans Dragons
17. William Barthau - UTC*

French Club Based - 17
UK Club Based - 0
*Registered with Sub-SL team - 6
Not even including players without real 1st team experience at Catalans in my *'d catagory.

I'm not against a second French SL team, but I think to really advance the international games against France (and Wales for that matter) we not only need to get a better grassroots level in France, but promote a greater spread of French players throughout all Super League Squads, as well as having a predominantly French Catalans squad (which they do now).

Would France even want to play against Yorks or Lancs, a nation versus a region ?

It would be rather embarrassing when they get tonked by the red or white roses.

I reckon the French national side would struggle to beat a side like Harlequins right now

Seems strange France are ranked above Fiji in the RLIF rankings to me.

I agree, France is just Catalans without the half decent Aussies, the Aussie that they miss being replaced by NL1 players.

Pointless

At last.

Someone else on here who talks sense.

So having one team coming in ' cold ' so to speak is ideal , then having a team able to rest a week while the other two knock each other about is a good idea as well ?

France have a lot to do to qualify for the
next 4 nations , unfortunatley they might miss out to an aussie reinforced british team [ which could prove to be a problem ]

We have to percevier with the development of any nation that can put a team out , if as we do , we want the sport as a whole to grow

So having one team coming in ' cold ' so to speak is ideal , then having a team able to rest a week while the other two knock each other about is a good idea as well ?

France have a lot to do to qualify for the
next 4 nations , unfortunatley they might miss out to an aussie reinforced british team [ which could prove to be a problem ]

We have to percevier with the development of any nation that can put a team out , if as we do , we want the sport as a whole to grow

Shouldnt be that much of a problem

I went and she is totaly right. We sounded like fools. I am a loyal disgusted Leigh fan.

Why??

What happened?

It is , it seems that every tri nations England/GB played in they got the short straw , 4 teams evens everything up