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.

International Break

Jackknife

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.

SuffolkTiger

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.

Maturecasfan

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.

Shameless

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.

TheMachine

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

pirate

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

Jackknife

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

Jack Welsby at 6????

SuffolkTiger

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

tigerfeat2

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

Jackknife

Iv seen better England Knights teams. That England team has way to many old players at the end of their career. I would of rather seen Wane pick a youth team.

Matt

Jackknife

Can’t believe Ryan Hall is still managing to get international caps either.

pirate

I just hope macca doesnt even get on the park, we do not need him injuring in this Pantomime

Maturecasfan

pirate
But let’s hope Tomkins mcmeeken and mcillorum all get slight groin strains. :)

Fumper27

Maturecasfan or severe ones 😂😂

tigerfeat2

Interesting to see how Mckmeeken goes I always thought he'd be a England player when he got in Cas team all them years ago not sure what happened to him last two years he was down lane looks a different player all together now

Fumper27

tigerfeat2 he was an England player with us. But you’re right, he was pants the last two years (as were most)…

Jackknife

Its as if Wane has been in a coma for last 3 years and has just woken up and been asked to pick his England team.

Swiss-Tony

Thing is they're doing all this work team wise then bring the aus contingent in to the squad a week before it starts. Where the continuity in that?

pirate

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