The Partisan

Will there be any curtain raiser games at the three games ? As an aside, what would be the most 'doable' opportunity / options for the international game if there are curtain raisers ?

Well done York from sunny Brisbane. It is a shame seeing the game played at an emptied Wembley. A double header with an Academy knock out comp final as the curtain raiser in an affordable and appropriate stadium in Midlands or up in Scotland perhaps?

To be honest I just assumed assocciation football was was well established country wide before rugby got going.

Looking through the various levels of competition for football in England I note the names of towns/ teams I know more from their RL teams. Wigan, Hull, Leeds etc. Curious to know how each code fairs in their support in these towns ? Is there a reasonable level of crossover with RL fans attending football games and vica versa ? Assuming the football team has a longer history in most locations?

Close !

Possibly already mentioned in the thread but is a year set for Australia to host England in a three test series ?

Just had a quick look at the grounds used by the England football team and the England Rugby Union team for international games over the last 4/5 years. Seems to be almost exclusively Wembley and Twickenham. Both London based locations. (Did see Old Trafford for football...but just the once. Was only a quick look so may have missed other venues.) With this seemingly being the case, would it be of any advantage to RL in England to be seen as leveraging off this and expanding on the taking of internationals to places across England that have never hosted an international in any of the football codes ? Understand that travel to London from many parts of England can be an event or weekend away trip for some ... but having an international game in your part of the world would hopefully be of interest...and easier on the budget. Just as an example. Would playing France on a weekend in Bristol or Norwich work ? I think RL has done well to have international games played in cities such as Liverpool. Would just love to see them capitalise on the London centric approach of the other codes. (As a Brisbane based Aussie I am probably way out of my depth here .. Did enjoy my RL outing to Bristol during the 2013 RLWC )

I was wondering if the clubs had a game day manager or something similar. As an ex referee here in Brisbane (from 30 years ago !) I empathise with the situation. Didn't have too many instances of poor behaviour directed at me but a couple of them did cause me concern for my safety. Berating and abusing teenagers / young twenty somethings is not on.

Great work Gomersall. Where does your passion for international rugby league stem from ?

May have been mentioned already but hourly news grabs of the take up in ticket sales for these Ashes has been on radio here in Brisbane. At least on the station I listen too ! ( 60s, 70's and 80s music mainly) As much as I would love to get over for what I think will be a historic series I don't think it will happen this year. Was always treated respectfully by locals in the bars and stadiums I frequented during 2013, 2016 and 2018 visits.

Does such a page (or pages) exist ? Do like to watch these competitions games below Super League but can't locate a single source page.

From my quick research England are currently 7 wins from last 7 starts. Just need an Ashes clean sweep to get the magical 10 from 10 ! I'm sure all you England supporters would be ecstatic at that outcome ! Alternatively... Fifty years ago in 1975 England drew one, won one and lost one v Australia in that order. In 2025, just reverse that order and add a single point in the third game in your favour and the drought is over ! A couple of simple assignments Hopefully a great series that grabs the attention of interested eyes.

Great reading and debate guys. As the topic originator ...and as a lover of the game ... I truly hope the code in England has a bright future... with or without NRL intervention.

As an Aussie I've always wondered why Hull was 'able' to have two teams but a large centre like Leeds didn't have two teams with a Leeds related name? I'm sure I will be educated on here

Dipping into history here but out of curiosity did locations like Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle ( or other large towns of the north).have top tier rugby union teams when the 1895 break occurred? If they did ... was there a reason they didn't join the original 21/22 clubs at the time?