England and France to Clash Again in Mid-Season International Next Year
Despite the disappointment surrounding last weekend’s Test in Toulouse, Love Rugby League can reveal that England and France will face off in a mid-season international again next year. Perpignan is being eyed as the probable venue for the match, as RL Commercial chief Rhodri Jones acknowledged the previous game was a “disappointing portrait of international rugby league.”
“The decision to regularly and routinely play France every mid-season remains unchanged, though Jones admits they may need to reconsider the location to give the game the best chance of success. He suggested Perpignan as the ideal venue, as it has the largest share of rugby league fans in France.”
Jones conceded that he could not fault those who criticized the previous match, which was not broadcast on television and played as a curtain-raiser to Toulouse’s Championship game versus Featherstone. He acknowledged the need to “persevere with this” and support the French Federation, despite the disappointing nature of the occasion.
Regarding the domestic calendar, Jones confirmed there are no imminent plans to rewrite it to accommodate more international rugby league. The plan remains a one-week international break in 2025, due to the extensive Super League fixture list.
However, Jones acknowledged that there are many areas where improvements can be made to enhance the profile and success of international rugby league.
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