Was little more than a training match for England, bit disappointed with the spectacle. It’s tough getting some mid season opposition for us however so it is what is.

Though I think we’re some way behind the Kangaroos and NZ currently I don’t think we should be failing to make the semis. There’s some quality from the NRL who may bolster Fiji, Samoa etc but not enough IMO

You know what you’re getting with Wane and it might not be pretty but the defence should be enough to see us passed everyone up to Tonga. The NRL contingent should change things up a bit for us, though admittedly they aren’t the likes of Sam Burgess, James Graham etc anymore. Farnworth will be a welcome asset for the 3/4s and we’ll get some decent options in for the pack. I’d support McIlorum staying in the side if Roby can’t be tempted back but would do away with McShane and look to Leeming as back up.

Well me the the missus n grandkids went over and watched the game for the princely some of £30 , and had a great time and watched some decent rugby along way , roll on Englands next game I say . The team that turned out for this game will look nothing like the team that plays in the World Cup , this was nothing more than a training , get together game and for that purpose I think it went well . People moan when we lose and at the same time moan when we win , I really do despair at times with the apathy of RL supporters when more people moan about our effort than applaud them . If anyone is still in the dark as to why international or our domestic game for that matter RL can’t make it into the main stream sporting events , you don’t have to look much further than the fans. Kevin Sinfield posted on a RL site got more likes on social media for helping whatever their called win a cup in Union than than our England team in League. And there you have it in a nut shell , Apathy. it was a day out making memories and watching two decent sides , and it didn’t cost much more than a Packet of fags a few pints n a Chinese.

Great post and couldn’t agree more.

I like the concept of the All Stars and I think the players do too. I also regret the demise of the Roses games. So why not a 3 game series involving All Stars, Yorkshire and Lancashire? As somebody else has said it would have to be a full on trial for the England team. English non Yorks/Lancs players could play for the All Stars and still be in contention for the national side.

I totally get what you say. I am one of those fans however that has little interest in this type of thing. You alluded to the reasons firstly the England team will look nothing like the team they put out at the weekend. You talk about fan apathy yet some clubs have shown the same by not releasing players. RL needs to sort it's act out get some sort of real structure in place for these types of games. The last few weeks has seen patchy RL being played and by that I mean the last few weeks have seen a few empty weekends with the cup and other breaks. To be honest this is negative for the game. Now back to this weekend game I actually thought thought it was a poor game played by 2 teams thrown together. Not for me this stuff unless it becomes a serious game and not a run out.

All well and good if you don’t want to watch it ,that’s yours and many others choice , but for so called fans to pull it to pieces all over social media, just like most rugby league events must be withering to say the least for the powers that be . I bet those union bosses fell of their ivory thrones laughing at all the negative posts, as we really do know how to shoot ourselves in the foot time and time again . An old saying my dad taught me was ( if you’ve nowt good to say then don’t say owt ) very true words especially as we are coming into our World Cup ,and fans from other sporting groups will be looking on ,but according to the majority of comments on RL sites we might as well not turn up as we’ll be the rubbing rags of the tournament even before a ball is kicked , now that’s what you call fickle fans. This game will never expand whilst we have this mindset amongst supporters. FWIW I enjoyed the game and more importantly my grandkids enjoyed the game ,and they are the future