People are Drawn into International Sport Simply Because it is International

[Dunbar]

30 minutes ago, JonM said:

England football routinely play games where 11 subs are used. They still play as England.

England RU is playing games while their best players are touring with the British Lions. They still play as England. They almost never label a game as a friendly.

England cricket are playing a test match today. Only 4 of the team played in the world cup final and most of them know they won't be playing Australia next week either. They almost never play a "friendly" - it's a test match or an ODI.

All 3 of them routinely use non-competition games to try out new players etc.

If some players are unavailable due to other commitments, it's still England for me. I don't see what is gained by calling them Knights unless the full England team is playing elsewhere on the same day.

 

If you are happy with the second string team being called England then cool. My point was that there would be a backlash from some if that happened so it is a no win situation.

As it happens, while I wouldn't be vocally negative, I would prefer the Knights didn't play as the full England team.

[Keith989]

1 hour ago, JonM said:

England football routinely play games where 11 subs are used. They still play as England.

England RU is playing games while their best players are touring with the British Lions. They still play as England. They almost never label a game as a friendly.

England cricket are playing a test match today. Only 4 of the team played in the world cup final and most of them know they won't be playing Australia next week either. They almost never play a "friendly" - it's a test match or an ODI.

All 3 of them routinely use non-competition games to try out new players etc.

If some players are unavailable due to other commitments, it's still England for me. I don't see what is gained by calling them Knights unless the full England team is playing elsewhere on the same day.

 

*British and Irish lions. The Irish are actually recognised with the RU lions, unlike the GB league team.

[deluded pom?]

1 hour ago, Dunbar said:

If you are happy with the second string team being called England then cool. 

Would they be the second string or the best England team available at the time? It depends on your point of view.