For me it's the only way England get to play a side that will give them any competition but have to agree it would be better off taking place at the end of the season. No point in a two week break just for these games. Just finish the season two weeks earlier and then play them. Perfect chance for a squad to get used to each other and would give momentum going into a tournament. Theres a real chance that 25% of this team won't even be in the world cup squad so having it now seems pointless on all levels

Something I've already said.


It's strange because it's never going to get any better whilst players are taking the stance Holdsworth is. If there is any slight niggle, then fair enough (O'Meley). Injuries can happen at any time and are an unfortunate part of the game.
If people just don't give a about the international games then fair enough, but others do and it will be those people who are disappointed by this

Again, something I've said, but it makes it no less disappointing as an English man when players don't show that support. Let's face it, most of these players only have a sustainable pro RL career because of the Super League, I don't think it's too much to ask.

But that is the point that the overseas players have no allegiance or loyalty to the exiles or SL only to the club that pays their wage and why should they be expected to? If it were an English player pulling out the Engalnd squad then that's a whole different scenario.

Why not play the England team against the Engalnd Knights team?

I'm not arguing against what you say, I agree about the pride, passion etc. I'm not criticising him for his reasons, they're very admirable. Just disappointed, that's all.

England v England Knights would be just as one sided as an England v France game.

I'm not so sure to be honest as I think there are quite a few Knights who Mcbanana should give a shot to in the full England side instead of the usual faces that have year in year out failed to compete over the course of the Tri Nations or world cup.

The Knights idea has some merit. Or even an Alternative England team v England regardless of age.

Being disappointed in Holdsworth declining to play for Exiles is like blaming the passenger on the bus for the driver taking a wrong turn. It's not his job to fix a flawed concept let alone risk injury for it. Plenty of players will be more than happy to put their hand up for the Exiles for a multitude of reasons (but none for helping to improve the England side I'll wager). Holdsworth himself probably would have done if he was still playing for Salford and had remained injury free this season.

Flawed or otherwise, I've no doubt the Exiles team will prove more than a match for England once again. As said already, England's issues are not with quality of this opposition side but an unwillingness to evolve. A full first choice Exiles team would batter England anyway thus defeating the object. Until McNamara starts to help himself why should anyone else care?

So you think Exiles call-ups have a duty to perform because they should be grateful to be allowed to compete in Super League? Giving their services at risk to themselves and their clubs so they can play their part in bolstering England? What planet are you on?

Risking themselves? They're professional players! And you think I'm on another planet, deary me.

Maybe you should tell all the other clubs who have Exile representatives in their squad of this risk?

There's a couple of players, but overall there's not that much quality to really challenge the senior team.

The game lost any credibility it might have had when macnamanra picked 64 year old Adrian morley.

Every game of RL poses a risk to the players.

I'm challenging your bizarre assertion that people selected for the Exiles have an obligation to perform in it as their careers are only sustainable because of SL. You said, as an Englishman, it's not too much to ask that they don their boots in opposition for the benefit of the English international team. As some sort of recompense for being allowed to extend their career over here.

Which planet was it?

I like you.