Friday night saw Rugby League's first ever International Origin match between England and the Exiles, a side made up of the best overseas players currently in the Super League. For the record, the Exiles won the game 16-12 at Headingley, in front of a decent crowd of 14,000.
While I am not the world's biggest Rugby League fan, I do take my hat off to those at the RFL who are not afraid to try something new to lure fans into what has traditionally been a sport that has played second fiddle to Union in most of the country. The scoreline certainly suggests that it was a better game and more of a spectacle than the annual thrashings that England have given out to France in the past at this time of year anyway.
Which got me thinking. Could the FA and the Premier League organise such a game? Would they? Or even should they? England v a Rest of the World Premier League side. I for one would love to see it, even if it is just a one off fixture. Of course, international football is much more common than it is in Rugby League, and there would be many managers who would shudder at the thought of their superstars playing even one more game than necessary. But I would imagine that there are a lot of fans who would love to see it, and it may even go some distance to ending the debate that my friends and I often have, namely how well would England get on in the Premier League. Last time, we decided 4th, if you're interested.
Assuming the game was to take place this week, I have taken the England XI from last week against Switzerland, with the following exceptions. Wayne Rooney would be involved (he was suspended last week), and Ashley Young would start, as he should have done at Wembley in the 2-2 draw.
England: Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole; Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young; Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent.
Subs: Rob Green, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry, Scott Parker, Stewart Downing, Bobby Zamora.
I have chosen the 'Exiles' squad based on the season just finished in the Barclays Premier League. Not an easy choice, and it will be interesting to hear what your squads would be. For me they would line up as follows:
Rest of the World PL: Edwin van der Sar; Fabio, Nemanja Vidic, David Luiz, Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia; Yaya Toure, Cesc Fabregas, Gareth Bale; Robin van Persie, Carlos Tevez.
Subs: Pepe Reina, Brede Hangeland, Vincent Kompany, Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Hernandez.
That would be some game, although sadly I think the World team would win it. It would be tight though, the odd goal would probably decide it.
Let me know your thoughts on the idea of the game, and of my 'exiles' squad. Look forward to hearing from you.
