Quote: inside_man "to be honest i think that's the whole point.
The international game [as a whole] was a bit of a joke before, there was nothing apart from GB, Aus and NZ. I imagine part of the plan in splitting up GB is that you will have 2 semi-competitive teams in Wales and Scotland, as well as generating the game in France.
If we were to grow the game across the France in particular it wouldn't do much good if the international team kept getting batter and never be competitive. The seperation of GB kind of leads to a 2nd tri-nations in Wales, Scotland and France.
Plus seperating the teams could lead to it meaning more to Welsh and Scots, a lot of the time GB was just made up of a large amount of English players and perhaps can attach themselves better to individual nations.
All in all, it means there's a few more teams to play internationals against.'"
I understand the reasons behind the split and I endorse the expansion of the game on an international level.
I just miss GB v Aus/NZ so much that I am genuinely upset that I might not see them again. Forget the Saints game, for me nothing (in any sport) came anywhere near the pride I had watching the whole Kingdom united against the oldest (sporting) enemy.
I do not want to appear defeatist or melodramatic about the whole thing (I know that I probably do
!). For me it will never be the same unless there is a GB tour or vice versa. If this were to happen I would be over the moon (even if we got spanked)