Post by jim on Jun 9, 2010 20:40:53 GMT 10
I've been pushing it on forums for about a year now and not sure if I have on this one. Anyway I propose that there be a mid-year tri-series in the Northern Hemisphere with Wales, France and England playing. With Crusaders and Catalans now in SL I think it is the best possible way to try and get Wales and France up to speed, grow the International brand and give England a few more games in preperation for Australia and NZ in the short term.
I would propose something like this:
Year 1:
Wales V France - Racecoruse, Wrexham - 16,000
England V Wales - JJB Stadium, Wigan - 25,000
France V England - Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse - 19,000
Year 2:
France V Wales - Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan - 12,000
England V France - KC Stadium, Hull - 25,000
Wales V England - Cardiff City Stadium - 25,000
If the RFL really got behind this concept I think the public would too. It needs to be marketed well, put a shiny new trophy on the line and have the three play off for it every year. The games need to be in medium sized stadiums, if we play games at places like Leigh, Bridgend, Widnes it massively takes away from the event IMO. The stadium a game is played in adds alot to the decision of going or not going IMO and playing in midget stadiums like Leigh gives a terrible look in the Media. I'm not asking for Wembley or Old Trafford, just reasonably sized ground that would add to the appeal. In 10 years it could be massive, maybe even the equivalent of origin in Australia.
As for working it around the SL schedule, well for me it's easy. If having 3 weeks off isn't an option then simple have a split round and Catalans and Crusaders played an a vacant weekend. So when England play at home 5 English clubs play and either Catalans or Crusaders depending on who they play. When England are away then 7 English clubs play and Catalans/Crusaders.
So it would look something like this:
England V Wales:
Catalans V EC1
EC2 V EC3
EC4 V EC5
France V England:
Crusaders V EC6
EC7 V EC8
EC 9 V EC10
EC 11 V EC12
Wales V France:
All English clubs play as normal, Catalans V Crusaders have a week off and their game is scheduled for another weekend. Toulouse and South Wales also have a week off when their respected Nation plays.
Anyway I think this is the best way forward.
Thoughts?
I would propose something like this:
Year 1:
Wales V France - Racecoruse, Wrexham - 16,000
England V Wales - JJB Stadium, Wigan - 25,000
France V England - Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse - 19,000
Year 2:
France V Wales - Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan - 12,000
England V France - KC Stadium, Hull - 25,000
Wales V England - Cardiff City Stadium - 25,000
If the RFL really got behind this concept I think the public would too. It needs to be marketed well, put a shiny new trophy on the line and have the three play off for it every year. The games need to be in medium sized stadiums, if we play games at places like Leigh, Bridgend, Widnes it massively takes away from the event IMO. The stadium a game is played in adds alot to the decision of going or not going IMO and playing in midget stadiums like Leigh gives a terrible look in the Media. I'm not asking for Wembley or Old Trafford, just reasonably sized ground that would add to the appeal. In 10 years it could be massive, maybe even the equivalent of origin in Australia.
As for working it around the SL schedule, well for me it's easy. If having 3 weeks off isn't an option then simple have a split round and Catalans and Crusaders played an a vacant weekend. So when England play at home 5 English clubs play and either Catalans or Crusaders depending on who they play. When England are away then 7 English clubs play and Catalans/Crusaders.
So it would look something like this:
England V Wales:
Catalans V EC1
EC2 V EC3
EC4 V EC5
France V England:
Crusaders V EC6
EC7 V EC8
EC 9 V EC10
EC 11 V EC12
Wales V France:
All English clubs play as normal, Catalans V Crusaders have a week off and their game is scheduled for another weekend. Toulouse and South Wales also have a week off when their respected Nation plays.
Anyway I think this is the best way forward.
Thoughts?