Throwback Thursday: Looking back at the Exiles games against England

There seems to be an appetite for bringing the Exiles back in the near future, so we have decided to take a look back at the concept.

The Exiles were a representative rugby league that played in an Origin-like series against England between 2011-13.

In 2011, then England coach Steve McNamara proposed a plan to introduce an “other nationalities” concept in the hope of providing England with a more challenging opposition during the club season.

The Exiles test replaced England’s annual mid-season international against France.

It was a 23-man squad that was selected from the overseas players in the Super League competition. A maximum of two players per club were selected by public vote from rugby league fans and then coach Brian McLennan.

Results

2011 – England 12-16 Exiles – Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds (14,174)

2012 – England 18-10 Exiles – Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens (11,083)

2012 – England 20-32 Exiles – John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield (7,865)

2013 – England 30-10 Exiles – Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington (7,926)

2013 squads

England: S Tomkins; Charnley, Cudjoe, Hardaker, Hall; Sinfield, Myler; Mossop, Roby, Hill, Farrell, Ellis, Jones-Buchanan. Subs: Chase, Crabtree, Westwood, Ferres.

Exiles: Hodgson; Monaghan, Menzies, Moon, Richards; Burns, Dobson; K Leuluai, L’Estrange, Puletua, Soliola, Waterhouse, Hansen. Subs: Hohaia, Paea, Taia, C Bailey.

A possible Exiles return for 2020 was squashed at a recent Rugby Football League media briefing. RFL chief executive said the concept would not be coming back for next season at least.