The sport needs a strong international game. Simple as that

It sounds like the International calendar is set for this year.

England will play a 3 test series against Tonga. The venues will be St Helens, Huddersfield and Headingley.

Australia, NZ and Samoa will play a tri series in NZ.

PNG, Fiji and the Cook Islands will play in a separate tri nations

Got to say, not much to moan about with the Tonga series.

Venues are in the heartlands, but we should sell all 3 out easily and hopefully have some good games & atmosphere's to boot.

Games still close to seasons end, so players will still be in playing condition, but enough time for a bit of a rest and some training sessions together.

The pricing is fair and realistic, and the 3 venue's being in relatively close proximity with no daft outliers like one game on london means they can do offers such as the 3 game bundle they are offering. Which is great value for money imo and should be popular.

Looking forward to this series, will be interesting how some fresh faces go in it, should be quite a youthful England team. Think me and my mates are going to go for the 3 match bundle from discussions this morning, 3rd game is only £2.50 with that offer.

My only concern over this great news is that the NRL clubs will influence selection of both teams, particularly Tonga.

If that was to be the case, then it would be very obvious that the NRL was attempting to maim us and Tonga, as opposed to it being about looking after their players.

It would be very hypocritical of them to run their own tri-nations series (which will no doubt be packed to the rafters with NRL talent) whilst at the same time blocking English and Tongan players from playing their international series.

Slightly O/T but for those travelling to the games against France tomorrow, where is the best place to park these days around the HJ?

We used to use the back of Matalan before cameras were installed circa 2016.

5 Saints players who pulled out with injuries, straight back into their squad for a game 6 days later.

Wellens did make sure to point out Dodd and Lees haven’t trained yet and might not play.

We believe you Paul, we really do

Both are struggling and probably wouldn't have played the last couple of games were it not for our injuries. Dodd has been struggling with a hamstring and Lees with his ribs. Wouldn't surprise me if at least one if not both didn't play on Friday.

Walmsley was always 4 weeks from his injury which falls this weekend so timing wise its pretty spot on. Last week would have been too early, he's only trained this week.

quelle surprise