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Warm-up for Four Nations sees England opt for French test
DESPITE the Exiles fixture emerging due to the apparent lack of competition offered by France, England will play their Gallic counterparts after all later this autumn.
Les Bleus had been ditched for the traditional June international in favour of more testing opponents in the shape of Super League’s finest overseas players who subsequently defeated the hosts.
However, Steve McNamara’s side will face France regardless in Avignon on Friday, October 21 as build-up for the Four Nations.
“We’ve always stated our commitment to international rugby league, particularly in the northern hemisphere,” he said.
“The mid-season international changed this season but we’ve said that we’d look to play France at some point and with the emergence of the Catalan Dragons and French players this season it will be fantastic preparation for the players leading up to the Gillette Four Nations.”
One player who will hope to feature in that contest is Huddersfield Giants star Danny Brough.
He missed his England debut against the Exiles after an ankle injury ruined his excellent start to the Super League season but makes a timely return tomorrow when the Giants head to Bradford.
Huddersfield have undoubtedly missed his influence while losing out to title rivals Wigan and Warrington during his absence, although coach Nathan Brown has been quick to play down his value.
“Any club misses players in key positions when they are out, but it can get overstated a little bit when you lose a game,” said the Australian. “When you lose a game everyone makes the assumption that you are no good without one player. “You certainly miss aspects that your good players bring to the side and Danny coming back obviously improves us; I don’t think anyone can deny that.”
Resurgent Hull KR know they can enhance their play-off hopes with a fourth successive victory against Salford City Reds tomorrow – one of their main rivals for the top eight.
The Robins are level in ninth, five points adrift of the cut-off point.
“I wouldn’t want to drop this one,” admitted coach Justin Morgan, as they seek to end Salford’s challenge.
“We can’t allow the teams that are just ahead of us to break away by five points because then it would be a huge mountain to climb.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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