Whilst a Yorks Lancs game might not have the stars on show that a Exiles team has, the intensity and passion would certainely be there. These players have been brought up through the ranks with a Yorks Lancs rivalry and the competition for a England jersey would surely make things intense. It would be something that the fans could get behind aswell. It cant be held on a week night though, has to be a Weekend evening though and a three game series.

I like the East vs West idea. Milton Keynes born players would have to represent the East, obviously.

It doesn't matter what concept they use. England v Exiles, Lancashire v Yorkshire or East v West, the standard of the players is so chronically low that it's irrelevant.

There was no desire, passion or intensity in the game whatsoever and the lack of atmosphere magnified those fundamental flaws to this particular game.



Also, what does not help is the fact that there is no rivalry between the English and Exiles players/fans. The fans around me today just was talking amongst themselves and there was just no interest in what was happening on the field...would they do that at a Saints v Wigan game which is (well 'is' maybe is the wrong word at the moment...) intense and very passionate.



IMO we may as well have played France today.

I don't see why League doesn't think more radically and scrap international league altogether. There are only 3 nations, so it's pretty much irrelevant anyway.



Queensland

New South Wales

Pacific Islands

Europe

Lancs v Yorks. Has the instant bonus of the fans enjoying taking the mickey out of each other.

Does it? Who would you support in such a fixture?

the reason the soo concept works over here is the fact that the players/fans and clubs put soo above their own clubs for the origin period and lose valuable players without too much complaint.the english mentality in most sports is put club first then rep footy, until that changes the yorks/ lancs or exiles thing wont work as intended

but having the game on a free weekend is a better idea than wed nights as per origin as it disrupts the teams for less games

SOO works so well because the fans and players are committed to their state and there is a rivalry between the opposing states.



If we had Lanc v York then would that be the case? I doubt it, maybe Yorkshire folk would have that relationship with their county, but would Lancashire? Is there even a team in the comp from Lancashire?

There is the problem, right there.

That club first mentality isn't going to change on its own though. Fans need a reason to start caring more about rep footy. It has to capture the imagination and provide exactly what the fans are looking for. It has to provide passion and excitement and give fans something that they can really feel a part of.



Games against France, Wales or the Exiles just don't seem to do that. The Lancashire v Yorkshire game didn't seem to do that either.



I go to watch Wigan every week because I enjoy it, because it stirs up the emotions, because it feels great to watch them win and because it makes me swear like a trouper when they lose. When England play these mid season games I feel ambivalent. When they play Australia or New Zealand the excitement is there.

I posted the following on the Wigan Forum earlier, and having attended tonight here are my thoughts:





"I can honestly say that I have never been more bored at a RL game than I was tonight. Forget Tommy's injury, these things happen but no-one gave a monkeys tonight. 11,000+ attendance? Do me a favour, RLF/sky lies - it was nearer to 7K. Mates turned enemies? Yeah right. The problem is you can't generate an atmosphere in the way they tried to tonight. I cringed every time 'we will rock you' crackled over the 1980's speakers in situ at Langtree Park.



I overheard someone in the beer queue tonight with a great idea. Bring back Lancs v Yorks, £2000 to each of the winning players and all supporters of the winning team get their money back along with a free ticket to a SL match of their choice.



Players have something to play for, i.e. money and and England shirt and supporters have vested interest as well rather than asking themselves what possessed them to turn out to watch such a pointless and boring game. I'm not sure of the economics involved but there must be a better way than tonight.



I for one won't be returning in the current format and the overwhelming consensus was that many felt the same."