I think all the tier 1 nations should do it. I know Aus already do with the PMs 13 but it would be nice if that had the scope to do a couple of game tour like the knights did last year.
If the costs involved are quite low it can only be beneficial for everyone to do so.
The idea the full England team is going to regularly start playing one off tests against the like of Jamaica is very noble but a bit pie in the sky in my opinion.
Lets say they ditched the Knights thing and just called this 2nd string team 'England'.
Would it raise costs at all? Probably not.
The RFL could devise a player payment system where tests v 2nd tier nations are worth less. Team would be mostly filled with players trying to crack the GB side.
Would it raise sales? Maybe leaning towards yes. We know a lot of people aren't interested in the Knights concept. A 'proper' England team playing at a sensible timeslot in a well chosen location should be able to sell enough tickets to break even, even against Jamaica. Turn that into a short calendar with games v France and Wales and you have running interest to engage the media and public. One-off games are a hard sell, unless played at the same time with the same teams every year (eg Aus vs NZ, and even that has its struggles). A calendar builds engagement.
Is this really pie in the sky?
Repeat for Australia.
It's great we're playing in Fiji this year but I'd love to seem them do PNG and Fiji each year. They have the money and the players.
Ditch the PMXIII insignia or keep it, but give these games some visibility and standing. What's the point in Australia playing if no one in Australia can watch it?
