Internationals matches in the current climate

[Heathen]

Anyone else feel that they are a waste of time?

To me, they are huge mismatches for the large part. In the pandemic situation, the players should have been the summer off to get some much needed R&R.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Anyone else feel that they are a waste of time?

To me, they are huge mismatches for the large part. In the pandemic situation, the players should have been the summer off to get some much needed R&R.

I agree. But, money is King. TV rights, sponsors. When I was a kid, we used to meet up at the school playing fields and simply have fun running the ball around, kick passes ... no teachers. Help Fred get the posts up at the end of summer, mark the pitches. Fun. R&R.

[HDAWG]

From a pandemic point of view, absolutely. The Lions for example is going about as expected, and for the fans sake should've been delayed or something.

But I feel this year the summer international games are mostly heavily one sided. I really don't care about England Vs USA or Canada, because I know we'll batter them. That England team Vs Argentina or someone of that level is interesting though.

NZ matches have been a joke as well. Honestly puts me off rugby at times how it can be an exclusive club/level where a select number of teams can give eachother a good game, the others not so much.

[wasps]

HDAWG...

We can't have it all ways though.
Either we play against lesser nations in an attempt to grow the sport, or we continue to only play against the same tier 1 nations again and again.

There's always lots of complaints that tier 1 teams don't play against the Pacific Island teams, Japan or other smaller rugby nations, but it has to be accepted than when we do, the games are likely to be more one sided than we're used to

[Rossm]

Must we put out our 1st XV against the likes of USA and Canada? OK, Marcus Smith got his first caps but what is learnt by running him out against them? One thing we did learn though, is that Harry Randall is a selfish show off. I would like to see how he copes if he runs into the open arms of a Sebastien Chabal-esque backrow forward. Seabass would have picked him up with one hand

[Shugs]

Fully agree about Randall - a liability. Also agree that these games are a waste of time. The way to develop tier two sides is to distribute cash more evenly and not poach a lot of their players.

[MarleyWasp]

I think people are forgetting how the international schedule always changes in Lions years. In 2017 England went to Argentina, Wales played Samoa & Tonga, albeit in NZ, Ireland toured Japan, Scotland and Italy toured Singapore (where they played each other), Australia and Fiji and finally France toured South Africa.

England were always due to play USA & Canada this summer. The only impact of Covid has meant that these matches took place at Twickenham instead of in North America. Wales were always due to tour Agrentina, but it worked out easier for everyone, including the Argentine Squad, for them to happen in Cardiff. Argentina are actually the nominated home side. Scotland were always due to tour Romania & Georgia. Obviously those didn't happen but plans only changed when Covid forced match cancellations. France were always due to tour Australia, although the length of the series has been condensed due to quarantine requirements.

The only tours that have changed were that Italy pulled out of travelling to NZ and Ireland withdrew from touring Fiji. In the grand scheme of things it made sense for NZ to play Fiji (they'd have thrashed Italy anyway) and Ireland provided additional opposition for USA & Japan who were in Europe for other matches. Canada used their Welsh links to secure a second match ahead of the England game.

Are they worthwhile contests? To the American and Canadian players who have fulfilled a dream of playing at one of the big national Rugby statiums in Europe, yes. For England? Well it's given many fringe players a chance to show what they can do and experience an international camp. Don't underestimate the value of that.

[Shugs]

Yes, fair points Marley Wasp. I guess my Wasps biased interest waned at the sight of Dan on the wing and Jacob at 12 and then Randall selected over Dan again and I just thought pah - here we go again.

[JonnyD]

Robson showed his class when he came on and you can see his is far superior to Randall I’m every aspect of the game. Robson could take all those quick taps if he wished to.
Think Mitchell is a step ahead of Randall but good to see a youngster given a chance by Jones.

The shame for Robson was that he had a misfiring lineout to deal with and then Furbank outside him who was awful and not a 10, which hindered most attacks for the last 20 mins

[hookender]

Robson showed his class when he came on and you can see his is far superior to Randall I’m every aspect of the game. Robson could take all those quick taps if he wished to.
Think Mitchell is a step ahead of Randall but good to see a youngster given a chance by Jones.

The shame for Robson was that he had a misfiring lineout to deal with and then Furbank outside him who was awful and not a 10, which hindered most attacks for the last 20 mins

+1 . Would have loved to have seen Dan with Marcus for 50/60 mins from the start.

[westwaleswasp]

For those who missed it Australia vs France was a superb match. Another one coming this week.

[Neils]

For those who missed it Australia vs France was a superb match. Another one coming this week.

Tomorrow

[JF]

Settling down to watch the game and I have to say that the renditions of the national anthems was horrific. If I were French I'd be horribly insulted. There's a difference between operatic singing and tuneless yowling.

[DGP Wasp]

Settling down to watch the game and I have to say that the renditions of the national anthems was horrific. If I were French I'd be horribly insulted. There's a difference between operatic singing and tuneless yowling.

Do any fans actually enjoy hearing some opera singer warbling their national anthem?  I hate it with a passion!!  If you're going to have someone on  mic to lead the singing (and I really don't see the need), then let's have a proper fan who can carry a tune, and will just belt it out.  (If anyone at the RFU is reading, then please PM me!)