I've just heard, with some disappointment, that regular tests between GB and
France are off the agenda once more, the reason cited that there is too much
of a 'difference in standards'.
How many times in the recent past could Australia & Fiji have refused to
play against Great Britain citing exactly the same reason?

There's no doubt that last year's test in France provided the perfect warm
up for GB, and helped them to win the first test against the Aussies.

By the time New Zealand & Samoa & Tonga come to play the first test against
GB in November, they will have had the benefit of 4 warm up games, while GB
will have had no warm ups. ~This gives the New Zealanders a distinct
advantage I think. I'm surprised David Waite isn't insisting on a warm up
test in France for GB.

One test in France for GB every year isn't asking too much. And I'm sure the
players would appreciate a few days in the south of France every October. I
sure know I would.

It would be good for France too of course, and help them develop their game,
and I for one would be quite happy to see GB always beat them quite heavily,
it would be nice to be able to beat somebody at least once a year!


Andy S
http://www,andysav.free-online.co.uk/rugby.htm