www.internationalrugbyleague.net/apps/blog/

www.internationalrugbyleague.net/apps/blog/

Good to see some Thirroul Butchers players getting international recognition.

I know its all about development but jeez, there will be some big scores against that team. How did France not qualify last year? Did they underestimate Wales and Ireland/ Or were the Wales team much stronger last year?

Look at what happened to France's team against Englands reserves. They need Trent Robinson to take over ASAP.

Makes the RFL's advertising look a tad cringeworthy now doesn't it.

The email about 'Do these look like underdogs to you' in particular.

I'd expect them to lose by 60 to England. If Australia and New Zealand don't hold back on them, they could hit three figures easily.

France had quite a poor side out last year. And they're coached by Bobbie G.

Because the introduction of Catalan Dragons to SL has, despite the noises made at the time, done sod all to improve the quality of player being produced for the French national side.

It's done wonders for putting money into the pension funds of mediocre backpackers though, so that's ok.

Surely you cannot question the validity of the Catalans organisation?

This squad contains 11 of the team that beat France last year (away from home) to win the European Cup and qualify for this tournament. They worked hard for and deserve their place in this year’s tournament

Half of this squad play their Rugby in Wales which is a great stat

For those saying an Australian win by 100+ look at the team that contested the 2000 World Cup Semi

Australia: Lockyer, MacDougall, Girdler, Gidley, Sailor, Fittler (capt), Kimmorley, Webcke, Gower, Vella, Tallis, Fletcher, Hill. Replacements: Barrett, Kearns, Kennedy, Hindmarsh

Wales: Harris, Smith, Tassell, Critchley, Sullivan, Briers, Watson, Farrell, Cunningham, Moriarty, Morgan, Highton, Morley. Replacements: Davies, Atcheson, Devereux, Luckwell.

What would you predict that day? After training 20-8 at one point The Aussies came out on top 46-22

There are so many positives to be taken from Wales being in the 4 Nations... of course I don’t expect that to be reflected in the attitude of the fans... RL’s worst enemy from within

How can you possibly judge it now?

The true benefit of catalans won't be seen until 15-20 down the line from when they started, when a whole generation of potential rl players has grown up with a professional super league club in the area.

Don’t be silly, 6 years in Super League is plenty of time to develop new international players and make a difference to the quality of the national side

All they had to do was put the administration and infrastructure of an academy structure in place, set up a production line of talent development by identifying and recruiting kids of around 14 or 15 years of age and then progress them in yearly teams through the system for four or five years until a number of them play for the senior team and then enough of them are of the appropriate quality to bolster the French national team

If they can’t do all that in 6 years, the RL attitude is they have failed

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there was a decent standard of rugby league played in the south of France before Catalan Dragons entered SL. This isn't the traditional expansion team like Crusaders or Fulham BroncoQuins. The idea of them being in the competition was that it would expose French players to a higher standard and intensity than they come across in their domestic league, improving them as players and making the national side more competitive along the way.

France are further behind England (and even Wales) now than they were ten years ago when their domestic competition was still semi-pro IMO.

Iestyn Harris will be talking about his Wales squad and the upcoming Four Nations live on Real Radio tonight from 6pm. Call him on 0845 1052106 to ask a question or go to www.realradiowales.co.uk/.

Iestyn Harris will be talking about his Wales squad and the upcoming Four Nations live on Real Radio tonight from 6pm. Call him on 0845 1052106 to ask a question or go to www.realradiowales.co.uk/.