the first ever international game was on the same day as a regular fixture
it's tradition!

So are sprouts at Christmas but it doesnt make them taste any better

I don't think it is a waste of time, it should never be on the same weekend as a regular season game, and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and AN Other should play on the same day too. I think more internationals are needed. When needs to be sorted though.
You're right, sprouts are hanging!

Nice Barry, do your 'freinds in high places' say things like this?

1. Leon Pryce .....had a good season so far, is a superb athlete and fb is a position we are weak in
2. Tom Briscoe ....whilst he still has issues in his game is only 20 and is certainly one for the future, carries the ball strongly and scores tries
3. Martin Gleeson ......is still top notch and is probably only not a 'certainty' because of his discipline issues
4. Kirk Yeaman ......has looked good for Hull so far this year, has discovered how to put his winger away and is defensively excellent
5. Ryan Hall .......the only one of our three quarters who looks like the Aussie prototype, Hall is easily our number 1 winger now
6. Sam Tomkins ......did well in the world cup and has excelled the team currently top of the league
7. Kyle Eastmond .....with Myler injured theres not a lot of competition however Eastmond would get my vote anyhow as he is incredibly dangerous when carrying the ball
8. Adrian Morley ...... would be my captain and must surely be the frontrunner for man of steel, he seems to get better with age
9. Kevin Sinfield ...... would allow Roby to play off the bench and has done well when played at 9 in the international arena, not big enough to be an international 13 but playing hooker he gives us a kicking game out of dummy half and takes some pressure off inexperienced halfs
10. James Graham ......sheer work horse who takes the ball up all day, also has the ability to play at the line
11. Gareth Ellis ......Outstanding defender who always puts his hand up to take the difficult carries, has a superb engine
12. Sam Burgess ......still finding his feet in the NRL but is top notch, has the impact value and can find an offload from nowhere as well as being able to put a great shot on
13. Sean O'Loughlin .....has always looked at home in the international arena and his defensive workrate is a big plus, he has been the best player in the best team so far this year

14. James Roby .....has picked his game up in recent weeks and has the ability to play pretty much anywhere
15. Andy Coley ......form dictates that he should be in, has been up there with Morley, Graham and Peacock this year
16. Eorl Crabtree .....deserves to keep his place following the 4 nations, has real impact and decent feet for such a big man
17. Joel Tomkins .....has been a big improver this year and has really stepped up, seems to be a yard quicker and hitting harder in defence, could also possibly have a run in the centre


I dont think we are good enough to not pick our best side in any game. The only real debates will be around the backs as we are not as strong as the Aussies in these positions. There are other possibles like Smith, Shenton, Atkins & Bridge but there isn't a great deal between any of our backs.

Cudjoe
Fox
Atkins
Shenton
Hall
Tomkins
Eastmond
Graham
Lunt
Morley
Tomkins
Ellis
Burgess

Bench: Lynch, Crabtree, Roby, O'Loughlin.

1. Cudjoe
2. T.Briscoe
3. Atkins
4. Smith
5. Hall
6. S.Tomkins
7. Eastmond
8. Graham
9. Lunt
10. Morley
11. O'Loughlin
12. Ellis
13. Sinfield

14. S.Burgess
15. Roby
16. J.Tomkins
17. Pryce

Sounds daft but every other team in every other sport does it..
Why not pick Michael Monaghan at hooker.. World class, never played for another nation and will be qualified come 4 nations time..................

Good call, I think it is the number 1 problem in international RL the re-nationalising of players, but while the Kangaroos and Kiwis do it, why can't we?

1. Mathers
2. Riley
3. Bridge
4. Yeaman
5. Hall
6. S. Tomkins
7. Eastmond
8. Graham
9. Sinfield
10. Scruton
11. S. Burgess
12. Ellis
13. O'Loughlin

14. Roby
15. Crabtree
16. Bailey
17. Harrison

As long as no Bradford players are used for it i'm not too bothered. On form our best 2 props will be away on international duty.

If I had to choose though:

Fitzpatrick
Hodgson
Bridge
Atkins
Riley
S. Tomkins
Eastmond
Lynch
Diskin
Graham
Burgess
Ellis
O'Loughlin

Roby
Scruton
Morley
J Tomkins/Coley/Crabtree

Give Captaincy to Morley, Graham, Ellis or Lynch.

Can't believe nobody else has put Fitzpatrick down. Imo he's been very good this season, even playing in a struggling side.

=#8000FFBecause he's Irish?

Yep!

Genuinely didn't know that!

Edit: Born in Wigan, I'm sure he'd change to England if he got a hint of a call-up.

Anybody know if there are restrictions on the number of players to be picked from each team.

there's no official restrictions but i imagine they'll pick with teams in mind.
It will be Bridge and Morley from us, definately

What i've seen of Bridge this year he has been excellent and i would pick him and Gleeson in the centres.

Other than Leeds away the other week I can't remember him having a bad game this year imo. Think he's definately in one of the backline positions.

Same here, Bridge has been very impressive. Gleeson has just been treading water for years and offers little.

Fair point mate but who else is there,i would'nt pick Ebay or shenton or Atkins ahead of Gleeson after all he has been playing in probably(this is killing me)the best side in Superleague at the moment.

I think the yeaman and briscoe centre/wing partnership would be good on the left, bridge/hall on the right, Leon at full back and sam and kyle at 6 & 7. think the forwards are easier to pick, i would go with Morley, Roby, Lynch, Ellis, Burgess, O'Loughlin

A bench of Sinfield, Lunt, Scruton and J. Tomkins

Thats my side anyway

I love 'em.

To give this question (serious or not) a serious answer.

It is quite comparable to the Trans-Tasman test. It is a good way of getting players ready for the international season before October. Now you can argue that France do not have the team to make this game competitive but until recently New Zealand usually shipped 50 points to Australia in the Trans-Tasman.
More frequent games between Australia and NZ have made both nations stronger much to the disadvantage of the English. By giving France (and Wales) regular international matches we are hoping that they will become more competitive and give us the much needed hit out we need before the 4 nations/World Cup.

So at the moment the game has little value but hopefully it will grow into a very useful development tool. 30 Years ago you could have said that NSW vs Queensland games were pretty pointless. Thankfully they persisted with the idea and let the event grow it reputation.