Former England coach Steve McNamara is a big fan of the Exiles concept and he believe Greg Inglis would be the icing on the cake for an all-stars overseas side to face England in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.
With the three-match series against Australia in November falling victim to Coronavirus, England coach Shaun Wane will be looking for other competitive fixtures to help prepare his squad.
And his predecessor makes no secret of his support for a return of the England v Exiles fixture.
McNamara told League Express: “I’ve already said I’m a big fan of the Exiles concept and if you look at the potential line-up for next year, now including Greg Inglis, it’s incredible. We’ve got a ready-made team of top players on our doorstep available to step in and play against the national side.”
The Catalans coach has first-hand experience of the devastating talents of new Warrington Wolves signing Inglis and he added: “I’ve tried to stop him a few times when I was assistant to England coach Tony Smith and then head coach myself.
“Greg had some outstanding games for Australia against us and it was in that era that we were coaching against your Thurstons, Lockyers, Cronks and Slaters too.
“The Aussies were stacked with talent, all of them potential Immortals, and I’ve got some vivid memories of Greg on that left edge where they were giving him the ball early and letting him do his stuff. No matter what plans we came up with he would find a way around it.
“He’s a special talent. I’ve spoken to him a few times and he’s a great guy as well as an outstanding Rugby League player. It’s a fantastic story that he’s making a comeback and we’re all looking forward to seeing him over here, even though it makes everyone else’s job more difficult.
“He will enhance our competition. It creates huge interest and we need to create headlines, which these signings are doing.
“He’s a massive boost for Super League. With all of the problems during this crisis, this kind of news is essential.
“Now more than ever we need to be working hard on finding solutions and opportunities for the game, ways in which we can create interest. I’m sure if we work together we will find a way to get Rugby League back to full health.”
