Spot on.

The squad selection killed that game, McNamara using the same old routine, Peacock as captain being the obvious flaw, following it up with the Sinfield at 6, form players not even making the squad and Ablett in the centre, it was obvious that fans wouldnt get behind that.

The weather didnt help, nor the Exiles lack of enthusiasm.

The concept has the potential to be brilliant, but the booing of England players and Saints fans singing Saints songs, summed up, why the concept will be gone in a couple of years.

They should have bused the Brigantes in and given them free tickets, that would have lifted the atmosphere !!!

Whilst we are at it change back to Great Britain rather than England. I know there would be very few if any players from the other nations that would get into the England team but England just doesnt have the same feel to it as Great Britain did. I always used to look forward to GB V Aus/NZ but these days i just dont get the same excitement with England.

And somebody please get rid of McNamara as head coach. At the very best he would be acceptable as assistant but having him as head coach is painful and quite honestly embarrassing. Id even rather have John Kear over this clown.

6 Leeds players enough said.

this exiles game will never reach the intensity of international rugby,go back to playing the french at least the bulk of the french national squad play in super league with the catalan dragons.the sooner we face facts in this country that we will never replicate the genuine hatred of the state of origin the better!!!

Translates as: "Weren't just me, miss. Everyone else wer doing it too."

I agree, we shouldn't even try. We should just roll over and die.

I could understand that comment had England or the Knights lost.
But both teams won with all those nasty Leeds players in. Shocking.
I see the Rugby Gods were at it again.

Quote ="chapylad"I see the Rugby Gods were at it again.'" So it would seem. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18472061

Quote ="chapylad"I see the Rugby Gods were at it again.'" So it would seem. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18472061

We should replace the Exiles game with re-starting the Lancashire v Yorkshire games. It only failed last time because of:
a, Sky marketed it so poorly, and called it the Origin match, ignoring hundreds of years of rivalry (and a war), just to copy the Australians
b, One side was much weaker than the other. This has been the case in Australia now for six years and interest is still high due to the rivalry. As Super league is now, you could easily pick two competitive teams to contest the series for each county.

well Stuart I don't personally care which club the players are from if it helps the national side to play well and hopefully win but as a non Leeds fan I feel Peacock, great servant of the game should now hang up his international boots and Sinfield be played in another position or replaced - no problem with Hall & the others who are the future of England IMO - so much talent at Headingley and so much jealousy from the other clubs who would love to have some of your players turning out for them...

A war??

Quote ="Wigan Peer"A war??'" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wars_of_the_Roses

Quote ="Wigan Peer"A war??'" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wars_of_the_Roses

Twas a "Royal House" war rather than a county war. And most people in Yorkshire supported the "House of Lancaster".

Sorry, I wasn't disputing your post. I was just making reference to what most people assume was a war between us and them.

I know... I'm just being a pedant....

Quote ="MattyB"So it would seem. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18472061'" Yes and such a shame TL will be out for a few games too.

Quote ="MattyB"So it would seem. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18472061'" Yes and such a shame TL will be out for a few games too.

Totally agree mate.
There are better props playing the game these days then JP.
As for Sinfield he should not be playing SO for Leeds let alone England.
Not sure he has another position that would fit with the England style.
As for the others probaly just about deserve to get called up on the basis there`s nobody else to choose from.

I know it was a fall out between the houses of Lancaster and York, and as you say it was not between the two counties. A lot of people don't know this however, and it would be a marketing dream.

I thought it was rather a shame that the Saints fans present didn't indulge in some quality barracking of the odious Sam Tomkins during Saturday's game.

I think they leave being odious to Warrington fans these days....

While maybe the concept is rather dated, at least the roses game has some history to it. I can't remember the roses games having been marketed like the exiles game last year. It must be the way forward if they want a genuine big series for the future and to expand the TV audience etc. If they just want a test of the england team then they have it spot on with the exiles game IMO.

With you all the way brother, all the England RL concept has signified is a further nail in the international RL coffin. Less fans are watching in smaller grounds and with seemingly less quality in the team to boot. Add to this the fact that the England RL concept has further weakened the rest of the home nations and you can see the end in sight.

People often compare the international standing of League against that of the happy clappers at twickers - a success built upon a strong home nations international competition. What do we do?

We pretend that Danny Brough is English, despite being the Scotland RL captain, we suggest during commmentary that Mickey Mac, could be in the England team, when he has played for Ireland and we make Welsh players like the young Warrington winger come out and say that he is only considering playing for England.

Ridiculous...

On the Exiles....why not make them mean more...how?....by adding them into the qualifying comp for the four nations?

And a damn good job they've made of it, credit were its due