England’s one and only mid-season international ended with a new-look side defeating France, but the occasion underlined the major problems international rugby league possesses.
Tucked away on a streaming platform, with no televised coverage and set as a curtain-raiser to a Championship game between Toulouse and Featherstone in the French city, this Test had felt like somewhat of an afterthought for the sport’s organisers in the run-up to it. Those feelings were merely emphasised here.
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International rugby league is in a dire state, epitomised by the fact England’s plans for the end of this year, a two-Test series against Samoa, were not confirmed until a few weeks ago. Until IMG or the Rugby Football League make the bold decision to afford more opportunities for international fixtures, games like this will continue to mean little.
France are England’s closest competition on this side of the world but have not won this fixture for 40 years. Yet this result shows they are bridging the gap, given the corresponding fixture last year was won 64-0 by England. But they need to play each other more frequently, as do the other home nations, to allow the sport to stand a chance of prospering.
The international game has been treated with such contempt by rugby league’s powerbrokers for so long, it is no surprise the public are tuning out. There is a fair argument Australia’s apathy is a contributory factor but those in charge on this side of the world cannot profess to be blameless, so long as clubs are allowed to effectively run the game.
This was, for the most part, a keenly contested Test. France moved into an early 8-0 lead with a try from Catalans’ Fouad Yaha and two goals from Arthur Mourgue but England, who had four debutants in their 17, responded well and by half-time were in control.
With their coach, Shaun Wane, watching on at home after complications from ankle surgery, the visitors clicked into gear. Jack Welsby scored their first try before two wonderful long-range tries from Ash Handley, coupled with a try for Tom Johnstone, made it 18-8 at the break. Handley’s second was the pick, after an outrageous break from deep by Johnstone.
England continued in the same vein and as the hour mark approached, Harry Smith’s clever kick enabled Matty Nicholson to touch down. Welsby claimed his second after another fine move before a stunning break from Mikey Lewis freed George Williams to score their seventh. Johnstone scored his second on the hooter.
It was a deserved victory for England: but more importantly, an evening that hopefully represented a watershed moment for those in charge.
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