Rugby League: Now we know what the Exiles are about

Ah Van's services will not be required

So we now know, if we hadn’t guessed, just what the Exiles are all about.

It’s the name that is going to be attached to the team selected from the best overseas players in Super League that will play England on June 10.

I’ve been reasonably enthusiastic about the concept since it was first mooted; more so now I’ve heard first-hand how keen everybody is. It could work really well, even the fans’ say in the selection.

To a Martian, however, the most mind-boggling statistic is the number of eligible player the Exiles can select from – a thumping 95. No wonder that there are some rather useful players who have not even made the initial 34-man squad.

Here’s a team consisting only of players likely to be fit and raring to go whose services will not be required at Headingley:

Patten; Ah Van, Delaney, Farrar, Webster; Dorn, Holdsworth; Clinton, Withers, Bryant, Chan, Hauraki, Solomona (amazing omission)

Bench to be selected from; Witt, L’Estrange, Widders, Manu, Lauaki, O’Hara.

If only it was as easy to pick an England team.

Still on international matters, I reckon France have got a player on their hands who could be a huge success.
Eloi Pelissier came on as sub hooker in the win at Warrington and ran the Wolves ragged. I haven’t seem such natural elusiveness for a long time and I suspect he could be equally effective at half-back. Make a note of the name – I have.

For more from Dave Hadfield, list to The Independent’s rugby league podcast, Tryline.

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