England to play Italy in historic first international

[The Big Gun]

London then Manchester according to wiki.

 

So it was either the Stoop or Salford.

 

Stupid RFL.

By Lobby's logic every international should be played in London.

[gingerjon]

By Lobby's logic every international should be played in London.

 

Under the 5m rule.

[South Wakefield Sharks]

Isn't this game primarily to give England a run out before the serious stuff starts? Not sure why people are bothered about the attendance, or stacking it up to suit Italy.

 

It'll give England a run out of the week build up to a match, then getting from the base to the match and back. Try to make it as real as possible to the RLWC2013 experience.

[roughyedspud]

italy are gonna have a decent team for the world cup....this is a potential banana skin for england especially if they don't take italy seriously..

should be a good game

[South Wakefield Sharks]

italy are gonna have a decent team for the world cup....this is a potential banana skin for england especially if they don't take italy seriously..

should be a good game

 

We'll be in big trouble if we don't take Italy seriously. If England aren't "in the zone" by then, it's gonna be a long World Cup!

[Odsal Outlaw]

Always like seeing new nations, think its a good idea for a warm up. You could argue that it should be played outside the country so as not to detract from WC, but main thing is we have a game ahead of the opener. Good on the RFL!

[Scubby]

Has anybody actually considered that the BBC has offered to broadcast a warm-up game if it was played locally to Media City? It is not a co-incidence that the Autumn final in 2012 was also at Salford. This is not a game the BBC has to cover.

 

So let's baulk at the RFL getting the England side (and pundits) onto national television a week before the biggest competition here in over a decade. Two hours of free publicity for the World Cup!  Rugby League fans would find an excuse to avoid attending anything.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Scubby

[Dave T]

Yes, my original post was pretty negative, and whilst I don't think the venue is the right one, it is at least a great step forward that we are playing a 'new' team finally. 

 

I'm not sure this game on the BBC would be the best build up - a low-key friendly with unlimited subs, but it may be an interesting one for Premier.

[Sports Prophet]

I cannot agree cedars should have been there, Italy has a lot of potential they have around 30 clubs playing game.

Don't believe the hype. Italy's foundations are nowhere near 30 clubs strong. Lebanon however has a burgeoning Club, Junior and University scene that makes Italy look pale in comparison

[roughyedspud]

yet they are playing in the world cup and lebanon are'nt......oh well

[Sports Prophet]

yet they are playing in the world cup and lebanon are'nt......oh well

Good work pointing out the obvious.

I was just correcting someone who has the wrong idea on Italy's domestic scene

[thirteenthman]

Is the BBC actually showing this match? I keep reading people mentioning this, but there was no reference to it in the press release.

[winnyason]

Both leagues peanut if you really think Lebanon is going to take off your in another world Italy have some interest in game Lebanon is very minor.

[brooza]

EDIT: Ignore that

Edited July 5, 2013 by brooza

[deluded pom?]

a low-key friendly with unlimited subs, but it may be an interesting one for Premier.

The unlimited subs bit puts me off big style. I understand why both teams want to give their squads a run out but I don't attend pre season club games for the same reason, they are just glorified training runs. Ah well, England might play Italy in a full blown international one day. Edited July 5, 2013 by deluded pom?

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Any news on the kick off time for this game ?

I will be coming up to Barton for this but would like to know if it's a day -trip or overnight stay required which depends on the kick off time.

[South Wakefield Sharks]

Any news on the kick off time for this game ?

I will be coming up to Barton for this but would like to know if it's a day -trip or overnight stay required which depends on the kick off time.

Will be an afternoon kick-off I expect, as the key World Cup matches for England are in the afternoon too.