Here's hoping Steve Menzies has just enough of a niggle following the Wigan game in Montpellier to rule him out, but not so bad that he misses the home game with the Crusaders a couple of days later.

Either that, or it's a concerted campaign to rig the voting so that he doesn't feature.


Stupid, stupid game. Means nothing.

it will become pointless if someone picks up a silly injury !

great concept and far from a pointless game

so you wouldn't be too bothered then if say,Craig Fitzgibbon or Mark O'Meley picked up injuries which kept them out of your club side ?

It's an absolute joke game.

I can imagine all those young lads strapping on their boots on an NSW playing field, dreaming of one day playing for the Exiles.

Can you imagine them dreaming of playing for Hull KR? Salford? Any super league club? Are all games therefore pointless?

How anyone can be critical of this game is beyond me, just look at the Exiles squad, it will be a great game to watch. All or nearly all clubs will have players involved, so no one club will be particularly effected as opposed to when it was England, France.

still ridiculous to have any internationals or even worse some gimmicky meaningless game mid-season,complete waste of time and a high-risk one at that !

I think the many poor results and average performances in many a game from France have made this exiles game completely necessary, with my English hat on.

France could or should have been organising a mid season game with Wales, see if they can manage to get a result against them this time...........

I just feel Internationals should be played as part of a tournament at the end of a season,not halfway through it.

Exactly


A mid season game isnt really ideal when the majority of players come from one club. Unless both clubs get knocked out of the challenge cup early and have a few weekends free.

France should try and play both England and Wales at the end of the season before the four nations starts.

So is 'State of Origin' pointless too?

I don't think so.......

We'll be in Perpignan in 3 weeks.... come on you Giants!!

well said !

any game is pointless mid-season if the club risks losing players for a few games , especially in SOO where it really is ferocious stuff !
play these games at the end of the season - seems a perfect way to round off a season.

sorry Yettner,meant to say - look forward to seeing all you Giants fans again in Perpignan but this time,try to make some noise ! Last year you lot were the quietest visiting fans of all the teams,even Quins who only bring a handful down. !

bon voyage

I disagree mate, we are supposedly a summer sport you could make the argument our internationals are played in the dead of winter and look like the bit of the season we forgot!


What would be better would be properly a properly organised international calender.




Regardless of when the games are scheduled you would still have the problem of all the players coming from one club, its something France will just have to deal with until Toulouse (and the Dragons) are in good enough shape to both be in SL.

And to both of you guys, my main point is not to do with when the games take place but what happens when they are played, the 4N aside, Frances results have been pretty dire, the euros, the world cup, mid season friendlies. It hasn't mattered, when they have played, they have underperformed.

People seem to think that a half strength French team, blooding kids like Barthau well before his time and them getting flogged by England is somehow good for the game.

.....the fact that the french national team which obviously has to come from the Catalans predominantly are at the mercy of the president of Catalans aka the little fat dictator who refuses to let some of his most presious players turn out for france in fear of injury.
The french youth are coming through and though will never be able to compete with the mighty England (or Wales !) will improve.The TO & Catalans youth systems are doing ok and I believe in three to five years france will have a very decent squad of players.

France should be able to compete with Wales, in France were looking at players whose first sport is RL.

I'm not sure it's safe to assume but you would think most Welsh players first sport is RU. I's sure I will be put right if not the case.

Anyway, France always do well in "A" or age group internationals, I think there is a lot to be gained for France playing against 2nd tier nations, especially as, if you say BG isn't happy about releasing his best players for mid season freindly's. Which TBF is something which happens between all clubs and countries, it's just much more concentrated for France.

Players like Gaush Jr, Gigot, Barthau, M Simon, Pala maybe Maria, Larroyer e.t.c It would be a tough game against say Scotland, Ireland or Wales with the added extra of it being a full international, not an age or "A" game.

tbf - the france v wales game was a one-off - just like Wires v Catalans you would expect Wires to win 8 times out of ten ? Same applies to france v wales IMO - Wales played well but france badly underperformed on the day probably taking the welsh for granted...

quite agree that the french could make up a decent team to compete with Scotland & the like without touching the so-called big names at Perpignan.Without really thinking about it Barthau,Guasch,Maria,Larroyer,Pelissier,Wynn (eligible in june),Simon,Bentleys,Ormeno etc even Worth will be eligible soon.

yet virtually no one on here, your good self included, complained when England were spanking France in June. The only voices raised cane when it was proposed England play someone other than France mid-season.

Aren't England pencilled in to play France as a warm-up game before the Four Nations?

my main concern about mid-season internationals is for the health a safety of players who are released for these games and the consequences it may have on their clubs pushing for the play-offs and beyond...
no,sorry mate - I was quite vocal on certain sites about the likes of Sam Tomkins playing for England one day and then Wigan the next,which actually happened if you recall.It was one heck of a risk don't you think ?
I think the idea of an England 'B' against France or any other euro team would be great but at the end of he season...

You would never find me complaining about regular international fixtures. Yes, it places undue demands on one club when it comes to the French set-up, but better that than no internationals at all. International football comes first. Meaningless friendlies against made-up sides do not.

England playing The Exiles is far from pointless and meaningless. England will get a much sterner test against the best antipodeans in Super League. You could argue fir it being at the end of the season, pre-Four Nations but then you run the risk of players getting injured and missing the tournament.
Look at the interest already generated. I personally know of eight people who are going to watch them game who had no interest in watching England hand the French their backsides at Leigh.

I dont know, not heard this before if they are but hopefully your right