Can someone give me an actual decent reason why we should dump the home nations for GB? The name and kit don't seem to counter the obvious benefits that playing as the home nations has, and "tradition" can easily be countered with the fact we were England well before we were GB in this sport.



A GB tour would be nice, but only for nostalgic reasons, not for any actual benefits.

And we'd still lose.

Lomax will have to improve considerably to start in the halves for England in the WC.

We'd be the EXACT same team. So most likely, yeah.

Arguably the best back rower in the world barring Thaiday, and you'd have him on the bench. He's not exactly an impact player. I'd having himstarting with Hock.

To be fair, based on test performances it's arguable that he's not even the best English backrower nevermiind the best in the world.

What benefits? Playing as the home nations is doing nothing but weakening Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The best players will always opt for England whereas in the past they could play for their home nation in World Cups and other comps with the possibility of still qualifying for GB tours. Conversely, should a top player decide he wants to stick with his home nation then England (as the only home nation in with a chance of winning a few games) miss out.



And I know about the 'Sport England' funding.





Name me some memorable England RL moments.



For GB I can name the Rorke's Drift Test 1914, the Battle of Brisbane 1952 (Alan Prescott was a friend of my parents), a few World Cups, Sydney 1988, Wembley 1990, Old Trafford 1990, Melbourne 1992, Wembley 1994, Sydney 2006 - Hampo getting sent off against NZ, Schofield's tries in '82, Lydon sliding in at Old Trafford, Edwards' sending off, Barrie Mc's 30 second appearance before being binned at OT - I'm sure there are far more but I'm thinking from memory.





GB stirs far more than nostalgia. I, and many others, simply can't get as passionate about England RL, whereas Great Britain (and yes, the iconic kit) stirs far more. For me, England RL is just too forced and has no true RL identity.

I don't see why we can't compete as the home nations for things like World Cups and some smaller home nations comps but compete as GB for an Ashes or Kiwi series without jeopardising Sport England funding.

I'd like to see something like -

Year 1 - 5 Nations (Northern Hemisphere - England, Australia, NZ, France & Wales)

Year 2 - Ashes Series alternating between here & Oz. 3 game series as GB

Year 3 - 5 Nations (Southern Hemisphere - England, Australia, NZ, PNG & Samoa or best of the others)

Year 4 - Kiwi Series alternating between here & NZ. 3 game series as GB.

Year 5 - World Cup



I know most go on a 4 year cycle but I don't see why we can't have a 5 year cycle. It gives whoever is staging it more time to prepare a decent World Cup.

I'd also have a yearly mid-season comp of Yorkshire, Lancashire & the winners of Wales v France.

Tbf I'd take more note of how he's regarded in the NRL week in week out rather than the odd games he's plays for England each season. The only thing against him this season when considering him playing for England is he's missed alot due to injury. Hocks a great player but he isn't as good as Ellis. Saying that, the both of them are quite abit ahead of the next best English backrower imo.

westwood?????????

Presumably because it avoids overlaps in key events?

4 Year Cycle from 2010 - Football World Cup/Commonwealth/Winter Olympics etc

4 Year Cycle from 2011 - Rugby Union WC

4 Year Cycle from 2012 - Olympics, Football Euros etc

4 Year Cycle from 2013 - Rugby League World Cup



On a 5 year cycle we clash

2018 - Football etc

2023 - Union etc

2028 - Olympics etc

Sam Tomkins



Josh Charnley

Jack Reed

Ryan Atkins

Ryan Hall



Gareth Widdop

Jonny Lomax



Sam Burgess

James Roby

James Graham



Gareth Ellis

Gareth Hock

Sean O'Loughlin



Lee Mossop

Ben Westwood

Garreth Carvell

Kevin Sinfield.