2016 international program

[langpark]

I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, as we're in the thick of this year's international matches.

But I cannot help but wonder what will happen next year. So far we have confirmed:

Ireland, Wales, Serbia, Russia, Italy, Spain (2 groups of 3, with 3 WC spots at stake).

Ukraine will drop to Group C (I assume) to join Malta and Czech/Latvia, whoever replaces Greece, who are now relegated.

So I wonder where that leaves other nations, particularly France. Scotland are due to play 4 nations with the big 3, right? So what will France do?? Just play friendlies?? Seems they've slipped through the cracks under this WCQ system.

 

[Burns]

France would need to tour the Pacific no? Who else would they play? Be the 'warm up' nation for 4 Nations teams?

Also share a concern about Pacific teams generally. There's always talk of games, but in a pre WC year, a round robin between them is a must.

 

[Ryan Chidgey]

Tour PNG, proven to sell out matches PNG are quality now they have full time squad. Would be both financially a win and quality

 

[miguel de cervantes]

France need to get smarter. They could probably bag free flights or at least signifcant funding for a trip to the french pacific colonies to do some workshops. Play the Pac Iles while they are there, maybe an NRL team - better than sitting around and what players wouldn't want to go on such a tour?

 

[langpark]

How about a 'tier two' of four nations?

France - Samoa - PNG - Fiji/Tonga

 

[adamkungl]

How about a 'tier two' of four nations?

France - Samoa - PNG - Fiji/Tonga

Of the teams not in the main 4N..

PNG
Fiji
Samoa
Tonga
France

have all qualified, with Lebanon/SA decided by the end of the month.

A 6N tournament is probably overly lengthy and costly.

2 pools of 3 round robins with a cross-pool decider could be more feasible, each team playing 3 games for a total of 9.

Or a Pacific 4N, and Lebanon touring France.


Either way, these 6 teams NEED to be playing games in 2016!

The other 8 are either playing in the main 4N or playing qualifying matches (Americas, Europe) late in the year.

 

[siv]

I would play 4N Euro and 4N Pacific cups in parrallel to SOO and a cross region final

Winners play a 4N Series with the winner of a 2nd v 2nd playoff. England and NZ to play in these matches

Then play 6N Euro and Pacific Shields as qualifiers for the following year

 

[paulmac]

A French tour down under would be awesome for the game.Like the previous post suggested play PNG in Port Moresby,Lebanon in Sydney,Fiji in Suva and get the French government to fund a "home" game against Samoa in New Caledonia.Surely it could break even or a modest loss.