This is a really bad England performance, quite possibly the worst I have seen. I was in Melbourne when we got hammered last year which was bad but we were expected to lose, yet today France were given 35 points by the bookies and they look like they would struggle against Keighley. Cant beleive what I am seeing. Writing this at 12 - 4 to France at half time, hopefully we will win 40 - 12 and we regroup for next week.

So we've won and regroup for next week then

What are the Aussies going to beat France by then?!

I don't think they take these games seriously and nor do I ! Money making drivle! I understand you may want to watch a bit of the old rugger but quite frankly I couldn't care less! Until we get rid of all these overpaid foreign imports and instead fund our youth systems are grass wroots level we will always be medicore at international much is the pity! All I can say is thank god for the cougars! PROPER rugby league.!!

The French and everyone else knows, the French wont win one game.
But that is not the point.
Weather you like it or not we need a good French team.

It was never going to be a strong England team. This is a new team with a lot of young lads in it. You just have to look how well Myler played and the way Eastmond played to realise these two could be really good for England in the further.

Agreed

We need a much stronger French side, which in turn can only make England stronger.

Agreed, we also need another 3-4 strong international sides to develop the game. But it'll be at least 30 years before that happens

Two very good points, but we have to start somewhere.
Now might as well be the time.

It would be a great time to start.

Personally I think they could start by only allowing players to play for 1 country (from junior level upwards) for their entire career and only make players eligible through residency after 10 years.

This would make the pacific islands nations far stronger.

And the any vague relations rule could help Ireland, bit like their football team used to be! Assuming they arent doing so already lol!

Back in the late 80's/early 90's it was more like their next door neighbour once passed through Dublin Airport in 1965 would qualify you to play for Ireland at football!

Tony Cascarino played at 2 world cups with out being remotely Irish.


Seriously though, I don't think that works, sides like Ireland, Scotland and Lebanon should concentrate on developing their own leagues and players and we should try to help them.

Well as long as England dont then do the same as in the cricket and pinch our best players a la Morgan and Joyce!

Classic point,

Add Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell to that and it poses the question.

How many of the England cricket team are actually English?

I'd struggle to support an England RL team with say 9 foreigners in it.

Matt Prior and Owais Shah were also born abroad btw. And Mascharenas was virtually brought up in Australia as well.
Mind, equally, I'm keeping very quiet about Trent Johnston, Andre Botha and Regan West lol!