You can't flog a dead horse imo. England Vs France (even with a full side) is uninspiring & dour to say the least. Been there, beat them and turned the TV off because of it.

I've said it a million times and will continue to say it until I'm blue in the face - the strength of the British game is all about SL and the rivalries of the top club sides. Wigan Vs Saints on GF was as good off the field as anything RL can offer imo. Focus on the club game - build it, remove the dead wood and get people watching that.

It’s a dead horse because it’s made to be just that. We have so much self interest in the game that we may as well pull the plug on internationals. That would be a huge mistake ‘if’ we had people in charge of the game and of its clubs, that could see further than the end of their nose but we don’t, so I’m at a point where I’m getting past caring because it is pointless.

Good Friday was great by the way but outside of 24,000 in the stadium and league fans, who already know about the game, nobody cares less. They didn’t even cover it on the Sky Sports website. If that’s our strength, we’ve got problems longer term sadly (as superb as the day was as a Wiganer).

I think it may also be a case that the RFL fear playing injured players in view of the ongoing case of players taking the RFL to court for lack of consideration for player welfare. It has surprised me how in recent games head tackles have suddenly become less important, judging by citing's at the beginning of the season compared to recent weeks.

Feels like a bit of a nice refresh if I’m honest lots of new names in there which is good to see.

In regards the Saints lads we need to be looking beyond the likes of Lomax and Walmsley due to their age and in Lomax’s case desire to play for England, it’s clearly not something he has much interest in.

Knowles and Lees will be in contention for next WC so disappointing to see them miss out due to injury and suspension.

Welsby is having a bit of a dip like a few others but have earned the right to be picked but Dodd has been poor so far so not worthy of a place.

Faz has a clear desire to play for his country however his age is an issue in my opinion, but as long as he is playing well and putting his hand up he deserves a call.

Lomax doesn’t want to prioritise England and I understand there are reasons for that in regards the coach but he is the past anyway.

Williams and Smith need to be groomed as a partnership during this cycle to see how they click with players like Abdul and Dodd who I’m sure will return to form at some point also being in contention.

There needed to be a change in guard with the England team and I think that is reflected in the selections.

How do you know Lomax doesn't want to play for England?

I have been told by plenty of people close to the England camp that certain individuals within it would prefer it if there wasn’t such a close link between Wigan and England, Lomax being one of them.

His actions last year may not prove that but it’s a clear indication.

Even if it wasn’t true though his time has come and gone. We need to build towards the next World Cup and form key partnerships.

Lomax is s wonderful player but we cannot go into 2025 relying on him, when the reality is under the current coach he has not been reliable.

The sport needs a strong international game. Simple as that

It sounds like the International calendar is set for this year.

England will play a 3 test series against Tonga. The venues will be St Helens, Huddersfield and Headingley.

Australia, NZ and Samoa will play a tri series in NZ.

PNG, Fiji and the Cook Islands will play in a separate tri nations

Got to say, not much to moan about with the Tonga series.

Venues are in the heartlands, but we should sell all 3 out easily and hopefully have some good games & atmosphere's to boot.

Games still close to seasons end, so players will still be in playing condition, but enough time for a bit of a rest and some training sessions together.

The pricing is fair and realistic, and the 3 venue's being in relatively close proximity with no daft outliers like one game on london means they can do offers such as the 3 game bundle they are offering. Which is great value for money imo and should be popular.

Looking forward to this series, will be interesting how some fresh faces go in it, should be quite a youthful England team. Think me and my mates are going to go for the 3 match bundle from discussions this morning, 3rd game is only £2.50 with that offer.

My only concern over this great news is that the NRL clubs will influence selection of both teams, particularly Tonga.

If that was to be the case, then it would be very obvious that the NRL was attempting to maim us and Tonga, as opposed to it being about looking after their players.

It would be very hypocritical of them to run their own tri-nations series (which will no doubt be packed to the rafters with NRL talent) whilst at the same time blocking English and Tongan players from playing their international series.

Slightly O/T but for those travelling to the games against France tomorrow, where is the best place to park these days around the HJ?

We used to use the back of Matalan before cameras were installed circa 2016.