Great to see England v aussies on bbc

i have some great memories of this fixture when shown on the bbc.

Yes so have i and not played at 25000 seater grounds id sooner have 45000 at OT and just open the 1st/2nd tiers.

Theres no way they would let 2 rugby games played on the pitch in the space of 3 weeks

i cant wait, il be attending the game on your home turf.

I just do not look forward to games now that it isn’t Great Britain. All the history of the games seems somewhat lost nowadays.

I feel like a line has been drawn under all that has gone before and that the current international setup bears no real reflection to the classic GB v Aus tests. I hate to appear downbeat, but it is just the way (and the majority of my mates) feel.

That aside it is fantastic that the big games are on the beeb, let’s hope they throw some serious cash into promoting the series.

I prefer the evening kick offs, especially when I'll have been watching the football on a Saturday afternoon. Aiming for a 100% record of England games this year though - would be nice if the RFL would confirm the rumoured Wales game one way or another.

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.

Bloody Elland Road for the final

Indeed. If they are going to play the final at a football ground at least pick a good one.

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)

The game has been played for over 100 years in England and it is still viewed as as minority sport by the majority of the media and perhaps the public also.

I cannot see the game really taking off in countrys were RU (Wales) and Football (Scotland) are the National sports. There will be more succses in France and Catalans are a team who have shown what can be done.

I fear it may be a very, very long time before i see team GB again.

Right then, i am off to listen to the Smiths to cheer up!

Quote: tugglesf78 "The game has been played for over 100 years in England and it is still viewed as as minority sport by the majority of the media and perhaps the public also. I cannot see the game really taking off in countrys were RU (Wales) and Football (Scotland) are the National sports. There will be more succses in France and Catalans are a team who have shown what can be done. I fear it may be a very, very long time before i see team GB again. Right then, i am off to listen to the Smiths to cheer up!'" Don't worry mate, it won't be too long till you see GB again, we are due to tour Down under in 2012. www.englandrl.co.uk/long_game.php Well at least that is the plan, whether it will happen or not is a different story.

Quote: tugglesf78 "The game has been played for over 100 years in England and it is still viewed as as minority sport by the majority of the media and perhaps the public also. I cannot see the game really taking off in countrys were RU (Wales) and Football (Scotland) are the National sports. There will be more succses in France and Catalans are a team who have shown what can be done. I fear it may be a very, very long time before i see team GB again. Right then, i am off to listen to the Smiths to cheer up!'" Don't worry mate, it won't be too long till you see GB again, we are due to tour Down under in 2012. www.englandrl.co.uk/long_game.php Well at least that is the plan, whether it will happen or not is a different story.

Look forward to the match at the JJB. I mean DW.