Quote ="Wellsy13""International" Rugby Unions
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Well, it wasn't always... The Babas are essentially a touring club, membership by invite only. They were always more than an England selection game, in fact I'm not sure they ever have been!
Their first international fixture was actually as a fund raiser for a touring side (Aussies I think). It was so successful that eventually most touring sides wanted to play them and, hence they BECAME an international fixture. There are also many pale imitations (I think the French have a version). One of the reasons for their success is that they are able to attract THE BEST current players from around the world - not just from a single competition.
IMO the Exiles will not be an international until they've played at least one other nation (i.e. become more than just a selection game). Besides, the RFL seem to be touting it more as an SOO equivalent ("International Origin", "Mate v Mate", etc).