England need more of a challenge than France and Wales. Quite who that challenge would be is a problem though. If Australia and New Zealand won't play us then we don't really have anyone other than creating a team like the Exiles.

A SL dream team style side perhaps? Similar to the Exiles but including those players eligible for Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and on the brink of England selection.

Apart from the fact that we want England to prosper, yes !
These 2 fixtures will do nothing to prepare us for next year and because many will deem them to be mis matched fixtures the game will appear unpopular
when they are played in half empty grounds on terrestrial TV.

union as in Rugby Union? or union as in all united in agreement??

serious question???

Hey, that's original. I bet you live in one.

Latter. Players' union iirc

yep the players union (RLPA)