Quote: Eastbourne Warrior "Internationals is where RU are light years ahead of RL, it's where they get most of their money from too. They can play 'friendlies' in front of 80000 at twickenham where we struggled to get 25000 for World Cup games.
You can't blame players for wanting to play in that kind of arena.
I've been saying for a long time RL needs a set international calendar that we will stick to. We try concepts like the exiles for a couple of years and forget about it.
Everyone will have their own opinion of what we should do but I like the idea of introducing an RU style 5 nations. I think there is more chance of players that would be willing to play for Wales, Scotland and Ireland if they had regular fixtures. There is also more chance of clubs like the scorpions & crusaders being a success if their international team played regularly.
Without going into too much detail or giving it too much thought as to where fixtures would fit in
This. It constantly annoys me that we never know when or even what hemisphere England/GB will be playing next. We desperately need a set international calendar. At least we've got a set World Cup schedule now but I'd go with a set 4 year cycle of:
(All end of season comps)
Year 1 - 5 Nations in Southern Hemisphere (Eng, Aus, NZ & top 2 pacific Island nations)
Year 2 - Ashes Tour
Year 3 - 5 Nations in Northern Hemisphere (Eng, Aus, NZ & top 2 European nations)
Year 4 - World Cup
I don't see why that can't be done. Or something along similar lines anyway. But make it a set, definitive calendar. Not a "well we might do but we might not and then we'll just decide what's happening a few months beforehand". It's the only way we'll build interest. Both from spectators and sponsors.
I'd also have an annual mid-season 5 Nations both here and down under. I understand the arguments against it, but I think it's better than nothing. The one here would obviously be England, Ireland, France, Scotland & Wales. The one down under would be Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga/Samoa.
It could be done in 3 or 4 weeks with mid-week games, done in the same format as the Union 6 Nations, ie 1 game v each team and no final.
SL will have to take a break like it does for the Challenge Cup.
