For me, one of the big problems with the current four nations set up is that it simply isnt enough. England have just been comprehensively beaten by australia and NZ in what are basically one off games, and now wont play a truly competitive international again until 1 year from now. By that time anything the players will have learnt from the two losses will be completely forgotten. />


I think there should be two international periods every year; one mid season period of ~ 3 weeks where teams from the same hemisphere play each other ( thus minimising travel mid season), and the second at the end of the season where teams from different hemispheres then play against each other. />


Proposed end of season international structure



Year 1 - World Cup

Year 2 - Eng v Aus Ashes series; NZ v France series; separate qualifying tournament between other nations to determine 2 teams to compete in 5 nations tournament in year 3.

Year 3 - 5 Nations: Eng, Aus, NZ, plus european qualifier, plus oceanic qualifier. />
Year 4 - Eng v NZ series; Aus v France series; World Cup Qualifiers. />
Year 5 World Cip. />


Mid season should be a series of friendlies ( over a 3 week period) every year between teams from the same hemisphere. Not one single game between eng and france for example.

For me, one of the big problems with the current four nations set up is that it simply isnt enough. England have just been comprehensively beaten by australia and NZ in what are basically one off games, and now wont play a truly competitive international again until 1 year from now. By that time anything the players will have learnt from the two losses will be completely forgotten. />


I think there should be two international periods every year; one mid season period of ~ 3 weeks where teams from the same hemisphere play each other ( thus minimising travel mid season), and the second at the end of the season where teams from different hemispheres then play against each other. />


Proposed end of season international structure



Year 1 - World Cup

Year 2 - Eng v Aus Ashes series; NZ v France series; separate qualifying tournament between other nations to determine 2 teams to compete in 5 nations tournament in year 3.

Year 3 - 5 Nations: Eng, Aus, NZ, plus european qualifier, plus oceanic qualifier. />
Year 4 - Eng v NZ series; Aus v France series; World Cup Qualifiers. />
Year 5 World Cip. />


Mid season should be a series of friendlies ( over a 3 week period) every year between teams from the same hemisphere. Not one single game between eng and france for example.

Would you believe.. I know when our summer is

www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_wink.gif" alt="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" />

I also know when our winter is which is why im heading off to Aus in 6 weeks! Im a right tart though so it'll probably be too hot

Would you believe.. I know when our summer is

www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_wink.gif" alt="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" />

I also know when our winter is which is why im heading off to Aus in 6 weeks! Im a right tart though so it'll probably be too hot

Was the tri-nations (i.e. playing Aus and NZ twice in four pool games) actually a better development tool for England than the current four nations set-up? I agree with the concept of the latter but really enjoyed the double-dose of games with the big boys. It also allowed for tests in between - where the odd team out that weekend (e.g. Australia) would play Wales or France in a test. />


The 4N is better for the development of RL but has diluted the quality. Tough dilemma.

Was the tri-nations (i.e. playing Aus and NZ twice in four pool games) actually a better development tool for England than the current four nations set-up? I agree with the concept of the latter but really enjoyed the double-dose of games with the big boys. It also allowed for tests in between - where the odd team out that weekend (e.g. Australia) would play Wales or France in a test. />


The 4N is better for the development of RL but has diluted the quality. Tough dilemma.