We've got to stick with France. Some years ago the RFU brought Italy into the then 5 nations and although the Italians aren't breaking any pots they are getting more competitive year on year, roughly on a par with Scotland I'd say. The main thing is that the Italian club game has also developed during that time and although there was an early reliance on overseas players (sound familiar) slowly but surely they are getting there as more hown grown players come through and some now can be seen in the weekly rounds of the Guinnes premiership. I don't think they'll ever be a world force but they are getting there, surely this a model we need to follow and have the foresight to support.

You say that but I know at least 5 people who managed to go to Leigh, watch England then get back to Wigan and watch the football in the pub.
The league matches being played is a good point though and something which could easily have led to a sell out.

The question should be, how many more people would of attended the England game had the game been played on a different day?

A lot more than 5 i reckon.

So how is that a problem? I myself know 5 people who went to Leigh, watched the game and still had time to get back to Wigan and watch the football in the pub.

I don't think anyone is listening to that kind of argument. I know a few Saints fans who said they couldn't watch France v England because of the soccer and yet the roads were empty coming out of Leigh Village last night. Everyone who went to the international could have been in a pub for kick off, no problem.

I agree!!

Me and the family went to watch Saints v Huddersfield on Friday and also the England v France game on Saturday, we had a great day out watching the elite of the superleague teams playng together on the same team which is something we don't see very often live, not to mention the banter between the fans all under one roof.

They showed how "top class rugby league" is still alive in England and that the future is bright.

We also got from Leigh back to St Helens in no time at all, we called at the Indian on the way and got back home just in time for kick off and a naan bread!

All of you who did not go and are using the world cup as an excuse should bow your heads in shame.........

YOU are all RUGBY LEAGUE fans (questionable) and should be supporting every aspect of it to develop the future in club AND country games!!





We looked at it as a weekend full of rugby with a dash of football on the side to finish the national day off, more should have done the same in my eyes!

Well said.

Did anyone else notice how cold the LSV was? It was about 10 degrees colder than outside.

Which stand was you in?

We was in the East stand and all the family has got sunburnt! It was roasting, the only thing keeping me cool was the lager



I know the West stand was in the shade all of the game...gutted for them... he he!

I was on the terrace and somehow the wind was coming from behind me.

If im not mistaken we have been playing RL in france alot longer than RU in italy and france havnt improved much

All thrm leythers with their hand held fans thinking they're posh!

[url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_6206100,00.htmlPeacock backs all-star clash[/url

[i"I'd like to see us play a Rest of the World team in mid-season. I think it would be exciting and get lot of people there.
"Why not give it a go? We're always trying new things in rugby league. It would be something different in the middle of the year.
"But let's make sure we still play France. We still want to play France but you've got to give them an opportunity to get their best team out there."[/i