23.10.2021. A double header with both the women and men taking the field in Perpignan, France. In one French media source, the crowd attendance was given as 7,000.
Women: The local lasses are about to start their season whereas the visitors from England had just finished theirs so that immediately gave an advantage to England. Working against them, the England squad are amateur and also have full time jobs so they travelled over on the day of the match after a very early start. England were overwhelming favourites regardless of the pros and cons.
After some scrappy play early, England took the initiative and led 16-0 at the break. England were clearly sharper, especially in attack and at 40-0 with seconds to go, a shutout was on the cards but a last gasp try gave the French side some consolation. Final score: England won 40-4.
Men: With the last game between the two sides back in 2018 when England won 44-6 in Leigh, England, it was hard to be sure of the size of the result but an England victory almost a certainty.
That's how the first 20 minutes panned out as England rattled up a point a minute. From there did England get complacent or did France lift. Perhaps it was a mixture of both? Whatever the reason, the game evened out and was close thereafter. No more points were added in the first half and France shared the second half 10-10. Final score: England won 30-10.
Summary: What a great initiative and well done for all those who made it happen. There needs to be more European competition in men's and women's RL, including a full England side and other nations such as Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland and Wales. That would make a tidy six team competition. It could build from there. Pics: Sky Sports UK.
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