Dave T

I wouldn't be surprised if WC qualifying is a game of rock, paper, scissors over zoom.

Tri series with France can always work, but would need three weekends for touring teams. England could play France in Wk1 while Samoa play Tonga in Oz. Then Samoa v Eng, Samoa v France and then a final, which you'd expect Eng to make. Not perfect schedules, but means three games in England for the touring team like last year instead of three this year.

I don't mind a drawn series tbh, the RLWC showed how aggregates could kill a series after the first game. I think 3 test series are a little archaic though, and I'm disappointed that we are just trying to retain them but with less attractive teams. If that's how we get games, so be it, but I much prefer things like tri and four nations tournaments.

I care little for the Ashes if I'm honest. Three test series are not my favourite things

Nobody suggested it is weird. I don't think anyone would think too much of it. Aggregate score is a perfectly valid way of doing something like this and nobody would bat an eyelid.

I agree. I think this is partly a response to finding that three tests all within 50/60 miles was a bad idea - so they will reduce it to 2 tests within 50/60 miles. If I had to put money on, it would be Wigan and Leeds or similar.

But a ref is surely watching what is happening, no? We all saw the Saints players lashing out. It's not really an offence to be a bit of a t0sser. Thankfully!

It's perfectly acceptable for fans to hate on Connor and think he gets what he deserves. It isn't however acceptable for referees to be clouded by who it is. Im not one for criticising refs, but I struggle to watch that and not see the ref being influenced by the player and just ignoring other players hitting out at him. That just isn't acceptable imo. We don't referee games based on 'you reap what you sow' or 'boy who cried wolf'.

My aspiration for this would be 20-25k for this game, but if we managed to absolutely pack out a 17.2k stadium, that would be far better than what we did last year. We should remember that whilst we often do quite well in London, it isn't a given, we've only ever staged huge games there, I.e versus the Aussie or Kiwis. The Samoa crowd was solid for a World Cup Semi at Arsenal, but this series would be nothing like that. I'm not sure if there are any decent grounds around the 25k mark that would be suitable.

Unless you just count aggregate if you really want a series winned?

Are they actually from Lancashire though?

We need to target sensible growth here. We got 40k for Tonga, averaging 13k per game. I think it should be a target to be getting 20-25k for these games. Elland Rd and a London ground if possible would be good. I like St James' though and would be happy with that too.

I'd absolutely go to London for one, but I wasn't overly impressed with the Emirates, and I'd wanted to go for years. I actually think a 2 test series is the right way to go. I think 3 test series are a bit old fashioned and not necessary. If we can get another game, probably France as well to give us three games that's OK. If Samoa can play a test Down Under before they come here it feels like a decent approach.

Hudds really should have finished that off. Always likely that.

Been a cracking game this one.