RayCee

A double tap on the floor? Double tag tear?

I see it as England has the better attack, France the defence. There's nothing between them overall.

England's defence isn't looking as tight as it could be.

He had no right to score that last try.

Wow, the skill in that try and England lead. Can they go on with it?

It's got a classic written all over it.

Disagreeing with you doesn't mean the thread isn't grown up. Your reaction may be more telling.

Another joke decision. Oh, well they will have to overcome this adversity.

Have you tried Specsavers?

I'm not one for calling a ref, they make mistakes but when all the calls are going one way....

Not where I live and maybe that time's past.

Likewise, for Catalan fans wanting a break in the north of England….

I drive a 17 year young car, had it from new. It’s been so reliable & cheap to run. I've considered replacing it but the huge cost to essentially replace a good car I already have put me off. It’s still tidy & easy to use. I've now reached a point where new cars don’t appeal to me. I actually like switches & buttons. I don’t want a touch screen with numerous sub menus to navigate. I want to keep my eyes on the road. Modern cars are also less reliable, too complicated. I feel cars peaked ten to twenty years ago in terms of reliability & necessary features. Maybe electric cars will prove more reliable with fewer parts but I still want real instrumentation, not virtual. I will keep my well maintained hack until forced to change.

Are you using reverse psychology? You surely know he loves proving nay sayers wrong. I'll try one: Sir James Ratcliffe will never invest in UK SL. Too tough a task for him.

I think the England side looks to have more depth in quality. The French side relies on some outstanding players but they can’t be on the court all the time. If England can hold them when their best are out there, they will win.

That’s insulting. I wouldn’t stand for it.

Behind a paywall for me so I hope I’m not going to cover what the article says. I read a while back that labour costs in building a car represents approximately 10% of the price. A 40% less labour cost is a useful saving on a high ticket item but not only a 4% saving overall.

The last time England played Wales and France in a tri series was 1996! The last time a full England side played in Europe (in a six nations tournament) was 2004! At the WC, England (with SH players) only defeated France (without any SH assistance) 42-18. It was a decent watch and a decent contest. If England aren't able to get SH players, it would only add to closing the gap and making for some decent contests.

I don't think players have to be flown up, there is plenty of talent in SL to put credible test matches on. There will never be enough good teams in the NH unless they play each other. France needs to be playing England. Those two nations would form the basis of a NH comp. Wales and Ireland could join them in the top group. Other nations would then be grouped in lower groups.

I enjoyed the 4 Nations when it was going but I feel it's past and shouldn't be resurrected. There are too many good RL nations to be focusing on just four. I can't believe anyone thinks this is a good idea. The SH should run their annual international comps and likewise the NH. That way more nations are involved and more will benefit than just a privileged few.

There is talent in England to go far. Player selection, tactics and ability to adapt during a match all critical. I see limitations in those three points, going in a descending line, the last one ground zero. Anything can happen if England can get the first two right for a match. If they need point three then it's game over.

Will the IRL get involved and try sort this out? I know they don't have anything like the power of say FIFA but if US RL is going to move forward, it's got have at the very least some goodwill among the regional entities. A while back I had communication with someone heavily involved with US RL and he was unnecessarily abrasive in his manner. I don't think he saw himself that way. I remember thinking that with an attitude like that (toward someone making a neutral enquiry), the sport over there will struggle for unity among stakeholders.

How hopeful are you with that one?

England are the better side compared to Samoa and would win most encounters but not in the match that counted. England were clunky but Australia and NZ have been at times too. The modern game is so fast that anything short of excellent can look very average. That happens to teams in SL and the NRL as well. It's easy to knock a performance but no team can just keep on delivering every match. England were superb against a strong PNG side but didn't back it up against Samoa. It is what it is.

Toyota, Hyundai and some other manufacturers are still believing in HFC cars but are having to wait until they kick off. Toyota isn't a great believer in full electric cars but has recently conceded that for the time being the market is going electric (with government incentives) and committing resources to do more in that area.