I don't rave about the NRL, it's extremely overrated just as Origin is. In fact the bizarre obsession with Australia is probably the main reason that this Exiles fixture is taking place.

England can prepare however they want. If they want a run-out, then there are plenty of options that will benefit the game without needing to make up a contrived team. The Exiles match offers nothing that any other international fixture couldn't, with the added negative that it is not a legitimate international match and does absolutely nothing for the sport.

Plenty of options? Where!!?

Hammering France by 40 points is good for the sport apparently.

Aye - I went to them. I don't remember them being that well attended. That wee supermarket near Headingley even had beer in it when we got there



TBF, I think we probably killed it off too quickly.

That’s blatant advertising.

You? On a positive note? Where's the William we all know and love?!

I Went to a couple in the early 90's at Headingley.Remember tony Marchant scoring a great try! dont think the crowds were too great but as you say it may have picked up as a concept given a bit more time and effort.

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_League_War_of_the_RosesLINK[/url

Yes, I like it, England v R.L fans most hated, someone could start a thread with posters offering their players they love to hate, not sure if it’s been done before?

Trouble is, many of the hated team would have a conflict of interest, oh, & Ryan Bailey of course.

I could have posted that on the attendance thread but chose not to

Agh...1988 then it must have been! i was only around 10 at the time and just started watching the game full time so i hope you will forgive my vague memory of the game! cant believe it was so long ago.

My apologies.

[uAttendances for England V Exiles fixtures[/u
2011 - Leeds, 14,174
2012 - St Helens, 11,083 (down by 21.81% on previous)
2012 - Huddersfield, 7,865 (down by 29.03% on previous)
2013 - Warrington. 7,926 (up by 0.78% on previous)

Think what we would have done to the exiles if we had had all our NRL players playing

I've heard that the administrators of RL.FANS demanded Sinfield was taken off at half time because if he'd had another half like the 1st one then alot of the posters on their forums wouldn't have anything to post about.

How's his thumb?

Pointing down at you!

Think he might miss a few games for Leeds due to his poorly thumb.
That 5th place finish again requires some work.

Isn't it a bit premature for him to miss a few games? We don't play Catalans until August

As does a win in the grand final.

Where you finish means jack all if you win the Grand Final.

A lack of opposition on the terrace is cack.
Lowering standard of imports makes this a competition already looking like it's dying on its backside.

If we have to have something contrived bring in easts v wests

8,000 in a RLWC year, with offers of free supporters shirts as well as double ticketing offers including an England RLWC game is ing disgraceful. I could rant on about the lack of anything like a coherent campaign from the RFL, but in reality, it's the APATHY of RL fans that is most worrying.

Given that there will only be a couple of thousand "visitors" to the UK for the RLWC, how does anyone expect to fill the Millenium or Wembley stadiums?

12 quid for a ticket to this game with a free supporters shirt and yet they don't even get 8k? With Englands games being shown on FTA, I really am starting to fear for the games reputation....because half empty stadiums will simply reinforce the standing of the game as a northern pastime.

As for the Exiles game itself......what a waste of time. More than half the England team were missing and the exiles looked thoroughly uninterested.......stupid concept that needs to be binned.

That brass band playing a load of random nonsense hardly helped matters.

The most tragic thing about tonight is how eager 'fans of the sport' were lining up to knock it before kick off......must suck being so negative and pessimistic .....oops sorry there here to 'help' the sport because they 'care' more about it!