I find it interesting how rugby league fans don't really seem to buy-in to the international game, and would much rather support their team. Maybe it's down to the ingrained mindset of being somewhat partizan, mainly due to the inherited rivalry of local (mining) towns and villages... Whereas rugby yawnion tends to get lots of fair-weather and corporate day-trippers for the international games, even though they seem to have a relatively reasonable club following. As much as I try, I just can't seem to get enthusiastic about the international setup. Maybe it's because we don't tend to be that well presented in there, despite how we seem to be playing (2017 as an example)... I actually hope that no Cas player gets a game this weekend, just to preserve their health and avoid possible injury. Anyway, to my point... it feels like an age before we get to watch our team again. Personally, I missed the Wigan game due to a family holiday and wasn't able to travel to Toulouse. A week on Sunday can't come quickly enough for me.

I support England when playing other countries but i cant get excited about a friendly against a random team picked over a few days including some of our own players. We need to be playing the best to test ourselves.

Hirsty agree with your views on the international game. I think the root cause is that the structure/calendar is busted & confusing. The England/Great Britain/England changes adds additional complexity for the public. The governing bodies across the globe need to take full responsibility & get it sorted.

Maybe if the coach picked players on form. How can 5 from Warrington get into the squad, ridiculous. Fans get fed up of favourites getting into the squad. George Williams for crying out loud. Deary me.

It's just another sign of bad management. I appreciate Covid was a disruptor but that doesnt hide the fact the International game is as poorly run as the domestic one. We need consistency and a routine for us to get behind something. I mean how hard is it? - just of the top off by head a four year cycle could be: Year 1: World Cup Year 2: Ashes Series - Australia Vs GB Lions Year 3: Ashes Series - New Zealand Vs GB Lions Year 4: England Vs a 'second tier' international team for WC prep. Repeat. What Union does far better than League is make a plan and stick to it. As well as the above why not bring back the Roses test once a year? Get behind a high profile Combined Service final on the same day as the Roses match. I'd watch Army V Navy or RAF as a curtain raiser. Loads of options for people to get behind but instead we chop and change and most series become meaningless.

Absolutely no difference in the squads at all for GB or England so that particular idea needs to be forgotten

Hirsty I think the interest died when summer rugby was introduced and the long Aussie and New Zealand tours were scrapped. We used to get bumper crowds darnt lane to see Cas take on the kangeroos or Kiwis, and that interest spread to the international series. We play our season at the same time as the Aussies so those tours will sadly never return. I Miss Winter Rugby

This has to be one of the worst England teams of my life time, this team wont get close to Australia or New Zealand in the world cup. England team 1 Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons, Captain); 2 Tommy Makinson (St Helens); 3 Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils); 4 Jake Wardle (Huddersfield Giants); 5 Ryan Hall (Hull KR); 6 Jack Welsby (St Helens); 7 George Williams (Warrington Wolves); 8 Alex Walmsley (St Helens); 9 Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons); 10 Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves); 11 Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors); 12 Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons); 13 John Bateman (Wigan Warriors). Interchanges: 14 Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers); 15 Joe Batchelor (St Helens); 16 Matty Lees (St Helens); 17 Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos. Edit: Its probably a good thing 16 players dropped out of the Combined Nations squad otherwise it could of been embarrassing, still might be.

Fumper27 the entire back line is underwhelming & a real head scratcher (probably with the exception of Tomkins @ FB)

Williams every time I've seen him play at Warrington he's been 3-4 out of 10 Wane maybe hoping he puts in a dazzling performance show Powell how it's done

International Break

pirate

Anyone else think that Macca will be suspended for that tackle? Players have been banned for less this season

Jackknife

Hopefully just gets 1 match ban n Luckily the reserves play midweek so that will count as his 1 match so back for Catalan match

« Previous Page