we can't demand players be released unless it's a proper test match...ie not against the exiles

So would it make sense to play the French as a mid-season international "test" and put the Exiles game on the back burner so to speak for WC year? If it is at all possible? Just try and get more cohesion between the squad in the build up to it.



I know a lot of fans won't be happy about losing their key players for one game, but I'd be happy if it was for the good of the international team.

We should really be able to call on our overseas players for the Exiles games next year with it being World Cup year.That should have been a stipulation for no series against OZ /NZ this year.It is the only worthwhile hitout we will have before the event starts and 1/3 of our team wont be playing.



It would be 2 years since our whole squad played in a fixture against top opposition,while NZ and Australia get to play each other several times in that period...And we wonder why we get stuffed!!

We should really be able to call on our overseas players for the Exiles games next year with it being World Cup year.That should have been a stipulation for no series against OZ /NZ this year.It is the only worthwhile hitout we will have before the event starts and 1/3 of our team wont be playing.



It would be 2 years since our whole squad played in a fixture against top opposition,while NZ and Australia get to play each other several times in that period...And we wonder why we get stuffed!!

O loughlan is not a better 13 then Sinfield or stand off or better player and certainly not even close to being a better captain than Sinfield and he never has been or never will be any of the above.

Plus I think Danny Washbrook should be in the squad had a great season and rejuvenated his career at wakey. England 13 for me

The Exiles is an Exhibition match though, no NRL Clubs are going to release players mid season for that type of game.

Plays well when the Leeds pack is dominant, but what will he offer for England when we're getting battered by the Australian and New Zealand forwards? Does he have that bit of magic in him to turn a game? Unsure. Definitely got to play 13 if he's in the side for me.

the exiles game is'nt a test so we can't demand anything....





and we could'nt stipulate anything in regards to there being no series against OZ/NZ this year cos it's nothing to do with us...their players union got the players the year off...we just had to sit by and what it happen.

battered by the new zealand forwards???





the kiwis have'nt won in england since 2005......and every time kev has played against them since at home we've won and kev won MoM in a couple of them.......

Yes,i know what you are saying but like a said, with it being World Cup year and our only chance of a real challenge in a 2 year span leading up to it we should have got something in place.It obviously wont happen now though.

I keep hearing our pack is the match of anyones so this should not be an issue should it?



Why play him out of position for the international team? he has been playing stand off for 2 seasons now and has stated that is his position.He is way too light weight for the pack these days.

I hear that a lot too, easily the best pack in the World and have been for a decade is a common remark.

Forwards lay the foundation for a win.



Sinfield is big enough for Hooker or Lock, he is too slow for the halves.

A good Test Stand Off has to have enough pace to either run himself and break down a defence or at least acceleration to get outside his man and launch his outside backs.

If a team knows a players pace can not get around them then he has not sown any doubt in their minds and defensive structure, they adjust and snuff him out.

I do not think Kev has this ability at Test level.

Australia and even NZ love a player like Sinfield played in the Halves, they plan and target his limitations and shut him down and cut off supply to his outside men.

The game is already half way won.

Just my thoughts though.