Which facets?

I think that The Aussies are partly to blame on this.

Nothing happens on the International scene without their blessing and they always appear to put their domestic game above all else, which ultimately is not helping the game to grow elsewhere.

I agree about International fixtures in that they need to be given a higher priority. However, we are stuck with too few options, with only 3 top tier nations, plus 5/6 second tier teams and an improvement with France (a strong Toulouse club would help) is the first step in giving GB a meaningful mid season game.

Without them, we should be playing Aussie and NZ in alternate seasons.

Ask Brian Barwick, report back when he gives you a sensible progressive way forward.

Mine was a genuine question, appreciate this reply. Informative.

Agree on the Aussies. If they're intent on their Origin Series, it should be done over a three week break coinciding with an International break in the SL/NRL. Everyone else can play against each other. Maybe in year 1, the Northern hemisphere teams travel and play the Southern Hemisphere in a couple of test matches, in Year2 reverse it.



Whilst we only have 8/9 tier 1/2 nations, it should be all countries that are playing games in this period, all that are affiliated with the RLEF/RLIF.

Does that argument need any strength adding to it? Seems pretty self evident to all except, well, the parochial

perhaps the lack of expansion and the momentum of contraction are linked. Perhaps a stronger game, nationwide, with a bigger tv deal, more sponsors, more visibility etc wouldnt see contraction in its heartland.

Maybe you've answered your own question.

While I agree the Aussies lack any real desire to play more international games, we can't blame it on the Aussies we don't play a mid season game against the French.



I would like to see two mid season breaks in super league. With the first break England playing France. Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy could also play.



The second Super league break I think we should play New Zealand down under when the NRL takes a week break for Origin and the pacific tests.



Along with the end of season four nations this would give England a decent number of fixtures. If they try play super league games at the same time as internationals, clubs will understandably put pressure on players not to play and the international game will continue to be undermined.

As the no 1 RL playing nation, they should be driving the international program.



Whilst England playing against Scotland, Ireland and Wales sounds like a good idea, the reality is that, the other home nations are nowhere near SL standard and certainly a long way from being competitive against a full strength England team.

There would be benefit to the other nations but, England would potentially lose their edge if they play "easy" games.



Aussie prepare for their games by picking from the Origin stars and then playing the Kiwi's. Therefore we have to find a way of giving our players some serious competition and not just a glorified training session.



The only other way I can see is some kind of possibles vs probables but, there is very little commercial appeal to this so, it's a non runner.

The area between Birmingham taking in Coventry down to north London with the Skolars occupied by our Championship 2 clubs needs to be encouraged and helped to eventually become our ' second front ' , we need junior clubs building within this area hopefully seeing one or two clubs moving forward into the Championship and potentially SL