Sat 23rd Oct: Women's Intl: France v England KO 1pm BST (TV)

[The Hallucinating Goose]

2 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Agreed. Although I can see how the women's game, with less historical baggage, could be more attractive to potential sponsors who wouldn't get involved with the men's game, thanks to stereotyped views. Not for the same amount of money as the men's game, but a televised match like this will have got the attention of people who wouldn't have been watching a women's game on OurLeague or even Sky.

It's certainly an attractive product. I must say, I'm really enjoying this game and any new fans I would like to think are as well. Women's sport in general to sponsors and more casual sports fans seems to be very appealing and I really do hope the women's game can gain some really solid commercial sponsors but it's certainly never gonna get anywhere near the men's game. 

[Futtocks]

Leila Bessalhi (#13) has been great for France. Good with ball in hand, and she's flattened at least half of the England players at some point.

[Pulga]

14 minutes ago, Chris22 said:

Enjoyed that discussion at half time about the women's game. It didn't always fall into the trap of saying everything is perfect about the women's game, as many tend to do, possibly out of fear of talking the game. The points about the excellent growth recently and the need for the women's game to stand more independently in the longer term were both well made.

We didn't get any halftime discussion. Non-stop ads for us in Oz

[Just Browny]

 Some of the play with the ball from France has been good in the last 10 minutes. You can see the union influence: good at getting their arms free, but seemingly surprised when it is the last tackle.

[Futtocks]

Emily Rudge goes in for her second try.

[Pulga]

I'd like to know what ball they are using. 

Steeden are supposed to be supplying all "European Rugby League competitions".

Doesn't look like a Steeden.

[JonM]

5 minutes ago, Pulga said:

I'd like to know what ball they are using. 

Steeden are supposed to be supplying all "European Rugby League competitions".

Doesn't look like a Steeden.

Its "Be Rugbe" - a French brand

[redjonn]

Given France domestic season hasn't started and they have only done training games France haven't done so bad...

 

[Futtocks]

Finally a bit more opportunity on England's right hand side, and it pays off with Goldthorpe giving Beevers an easy run-in.

I'd like France to get at least something on the scoreboard, although it doesn't look likely.

[Phil]

57 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Ideally, the French players would have had a bit more recent game time, but they are doing better then I feared.

I think France are playing pretty well, need more composure in the England 20 and on the last tackle 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Essai! Viva la France!! 

[Futtocks]

2 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

I'd like France to get at least something on the scoreboard, although it doesn't look likely.

VR checking on a French try... and it is given!

[Futtocks]

France 4:40 England at l'ultime hooteur.

[Northern Eel]

Enjoyed that. Good entertainment. It's a 'yes' from me. 

[unapologetic pedant]

39 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

 Some of the play with the ball from France has been good in the last 10 minutes. You can see the union influence: good at getting their arms free, but seemingly surprised when it is the last tackle.

Most of the French players have been playing League for years. The last tackle problem could be linked to communication with the ref. And also not every team always thinks a kick is their best option on last tackle. The women`s game in general is more territorial than the men`s.

[Dunbar]

Enjoyable game.  The French were big in the forwards and had a decent bit of off the cuff play but the match fitness and extra bit of 'professionalism' made the difference. 

If the French had had a full domestic season it would have been closer but England are well ahead in the Northern Hemisphere, the challenge now is to raise to the level that can challenge Australia and New Zealand in 12 months time.

[RigbyLuger]

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

Danika Priim is coming across well in the studio. She's done some co-commentary recently too.

Yeah, she's good. Not sure what Wilkin added really. A lot of stuff that sounded like it had been read off a bit of paper in commentary that wasn't needed.

[unapologetic pedant]

The French performance was a significant improvement on last time. M. Lacoste seems committed to growing the women`s game. If they can play a full domestic season, get back in the groove, and keep their best players fit, they should be competitive against the Cook Islands at the WC. And regular fixtures against England (possibly also Wales and Ireland) will help.

Overall I was impressed with Andrew Pilkington. Let the game flow, no phantom obstruction calls, and didn`t call upright tackles complete too early, which meant we saw a lot of late offloads, including one from Chantelle for Tara`s try.

[unapologetic pedant]

6 minutes ago, RigbyLuger said:

 Not sure what Wilkin added really. A lot of stuff that sounded like it had been read off a bit of paper in commentary that wasn't needed.

He was quite keen to stress that the French were "an unknown quantity". Translation - he hadn`t bothered to do any research on them.

[Damien]

I do think the women's game is improving all the time and England have come on leaps and bounds since the last World Cup. The standard has certainly improved year on year since the Women's Super League started. Yes England are still behind the Aussies and Kiwis but the improvement is there for all to see.

[Futtocks]

I still wonder about England's chances against the Jillaroos and Silver Ferns, because the standard Down Under is really very good. But I do think they'll be a lot more competitive in the next RWC than they were last time.

[Dunbar]

40 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

I still wonder about England's chances against the Jillaroos and Silver Ferns, because the standard Down Under is really very good. But I do think they'll be a lot more competitive in the next RWC than they were last time.

I said on the Women's forum when the squads were announced.

The Women's game today reminds of Great Britain men in the 1990's. While the whole game is stronger down under, England Women have some very good players in key positions and so could be very competitive if they are all fit and firing come World Cup time.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

8 hours ago, Pulga said:

I'd like to know what ball they are using. 

Steeden are supposed to be supplying all "European Rugby League competitions".

Doesn't look like a Steeden.

Its a bilateral friendly. European Rugby League's competitions earlier in the month used Steedens.

[unapologetic pedant]

1 hour ago, Dunbar said:

I said on the Women's forum when the squads were announced.

The Women's game today reminds of Great Britain men in the 1990's. While the whole game is stronger down under, England Women have some very good players in key positions and so could be very competitive if they are all fit and firing come World Cup time.

 

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

I still wonder about England's chances against the Jillaroos and Silver Ferns, because the standard Down Under is really very good. But I do think they'll be a lot more competitive in the next RWC than they were last time.

Based on what I`ve seen in the NSW and QLD premierships, I`d still predict a score something like Jillaroos 50 England 6. And looking further into the future, what the Aussies have coming through the junior grades is even more alarming from an England point of view.

Harder to judge regarding the Kiwi Ferns. Standards in the Auckland comp look to have stalled the last two years due to Covid. Although I suspect most of their squad will be playing in Oz. So I`d probably go with a similar score.

Goes without saying that I hope I`m wrong.

BTW, the Silver Ferns are the netball team.

[Tabby]

Correct poll predicted. Any bonus Mr Drake?