France v England u/16 International

[JasonE]

Good effort by France, although they lost 22-12 they had their chances and looked well drilled and super fit.
Prop Jimmy Graziani was outstanding for France.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Where was this played?

Any other teams involved?

Thanks.

 

[JasonE]

This was played yesterday at Salford with the 2nd test to be played on tuesday at Craven Park in Hull.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Thanks for that.

 

[JasonE]

2nd test match score was 24-12 to England, haven't heard much about the game yet but hope to get the dvd soon.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

A heap of nations seem to be able to play to a very good standard against the better teams now, it seems to be after they reach 18-19 the gap opens up, with Catalans now in SL, things will move forward for the French, but what do we have to do to get these other nations up to a higher standard?

We can't put them all in ESL or NRL. :?

Sporting academies or something?

Bring the best players out to Australia or England for a few weeks - months to help them out?

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

A heap of nations seem to be able to play to a very good standard against the better teams now, it seems to be after they reach 18-19 the gap opens up, with Catalans now in SL, things will move forward for the French, but what do we have to do to get these other nations up to a higher standard?

We can't put them all in ESL or NRL. :?

Sporting academies or something?

Bring the best players out to Australia or England for a few weeks - months to help them out?

Months at a minimum, like Tim Sheens is doing with the Russians. But one or two players will not make a difference. You need a good core of a dozen or more. But then they have to have something significant to go back to. That is why coaching and refereeing courses for each country would be a good idea. But since most Australian coaches have only a couple of months free, then that limits what can be done. Even France, which is becoming the fourth power in rugby league, still desperately needs this for its LER domestic competition, if the base for creating a more extensive feeder competition for the professional ESL clubs is to be productive.

I would propose what Tim Sheens has done to be replicated by other NRL coaches for some of the emerging nations -- but for France first, and then for Russia and the USA.

 

[RLIF]

France also beat Wales 34-20 and England beat Wales 46-0