13 replies to this topic

[Railway End]

Martyn Sadler made a suggestion in Monday's LE that we should introduce a Championship representative side to possibly play England Knights or a French Championship equivalent side.

After giving it some consideration I think it could be a good idea and something that would benefit the game as a whole. Obviously it would provide recognition and possibly a "shop window" for players who provide enormous commitment to the game, by in the main, working full time, training three nights a week, playing on a weekend and trying to squeeze in a family life as well.

In terms of who this team should play, I would agree with Martyn's 2 suggestions and open it out further to maybe including them in tournament's with Wales, Scotland & Ireland (although the Celtic nations would have first pick of players). How about a Championship XIII v England Knights curtain raiser to next years Exiles games?

If the RLWC is a big success and the RLIF get a few coppers in the piggy bank hopefully we will see a few touring teams from the Pacific Islands and the Championship side could well provide a competitive game.

Worth a go surely?

[Terry Mullaney]

In view of the upcoming 'partnerships' I wonder what the qualifying criteria for selection would be? Great idea in principle though.

[slowdive]

I think it's an excellent idea. I'm pretty sure the players would buy into it and it would provide meaningful opposition for a lot of international teams.

[nadera78]

They did this a decade ago. Rob Purdham played for the team before signing for London Broncos.

I think it would be a good move.

[HappyDave]

The 2nd Tier Rugby Union 'Championship XV' team against the New Zealand All Black Maori seemed like a decent game from what I saw of it, so I don't see why a England 'Championships XIII' vs France 'Elite 1 XIII' game wouldn't work.



Having said that I only saw the first 20 minutes.

Edited by HappyDave, 22 November 2012 - 11:09 PM.

[Railway End]

In view of the upcoming 'partnerships' I wonder what the qualifying criteria for selection would be? Great idea in principle though.

I'd not considered that point. I would go along the lines that if your parent club was not a Championship team you would not be eligible for the team, i.e no dual reg or loan players from SL clubs.

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

They did this a decade ago. Rob Purdham played for the team before signing for London Broncos.

I think it would be a good move.

Pretty sure it was Championship (or the then equivalent) U21's v Superleague U21's Rob played for before going on to play for England U21's then signing for London, nevertheless I think this is still a good example of why it's an excellent idea

[Derwent]

Pretty sure it was Championship (or the then equivalent) U21's v Superleague U21's Rob played for before going on to play for England U21's then signing for London, nevertheless I think this is still a good example of why it's an excellent idea

Yep, it was in 2001 and was the NFP U21's against SL U21's and the NFP team won 27-20.

Teams that day were :-

Super League:
1. Craig Poucher (Hull), 2. Lee Greenwood (Halifax), 3. Martin Gleeson (Huddersfield), 4. Martin Aspinwall (Wigan), 5. Hefin O'Hare (Huddersfield), 6. Chris Thorman (Huddersfield), 7. Paul Handforth (Wakefield), 8. Ricky Bibey (Wigan), 9. Dave McConnell (St Helens), 10. Chris Feather (Wakefield), 11. Gareth Ellis (Wakefield), 12. Richard Fletcher (Hull), 13. Rob Parker (Bradford) Subs: 14 Mike Higham (St Helens), 15. Mark Edmondson (St Helens), 16 Stuart Jones (Wigan), 17 Ben Westwood (Wakefield)

NFP:
1. Neil Turley (Leigh), 2 Paul Salmon (Barrow), 3. Mick Nanyn, 4. Chris Percival (Widnes), 5. Gavin Dodd (Oldham), 6. Simon Svabic, 7 Jamie Rooney (Featherstone), 8 Danny Sculthorpe (Rochdale), 9.; John Duffy (Leigh), 10. Gareth Haggerty (Widnes), 11. Spencer Miller (Whitehaven), 12. Phil Farrell (Oldham), 13. Robert Purdham (Whitehaven) Subs: 14 Neil Roden (Oldham), 15. Stuart Dickens (Featherstone), 16 Lee Doran, 17 Carl Sice (Workington)

[Griff]

I'd match them against Scotland, Wales and Ireland instead of England Knights. Most of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh players come from the Championship and I think it would be an even competition.

Scotland and Ireland playing England Knights was ridiculous. Nobody gets much out of a mismatch like that.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

I'd match them against Scotland, Wales and Ireland instead of England Knights. Most of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh players come from the Championship and I think it would be an even competition.

Scotland and Ireland playing England Knights was ridiculous. Nobody gets much out of a mismatch like that.

Would be a good idea. But who would the Knights play?

Personally, I'd have the Knights split into Yorkshire/Lancashire and have them play each other ala City/Country as a trial for the England team. Would be a far better game IMO.

[Griff]

Would be a good idea. But who would the Knights play?.

Probably the French.

[41hound]

A Championship rep side would be a fantastic idea. It could be a real highlight for players and supporters of championship teams.

[Futtocks]

A Championship rep side would be a fantastic idea. It could be a real highlight for players and supporters of championship teams.

It'd be a pretty good team, too, I reckon.

[HappyDave]

If they played against Ireland wouldn't they be missing a Flynn?