‘Damaging’ delay to autumn test series confirmation could be ended soon

England are back in action for the first time since hosting the World Cup when they take on France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on April 29.

But they are still unaware when their next game after that will be, as the ongoing saga over the autumn test series continues.

They do have the fall back option of the European Championship, which will otherwise be contested by England Knights. Whichever England team lines up in that competition will take on Serbia, in a historic first meeting, as well as Scotland and Ireland in the group stages.

It is hoped that an elite-level series against Tonga will still go ahead, even if it can’t be announced in time for the mid-season international.

Unfortunately, the RFL have been hampered by the ongoing controversy in the NRL regarding the collective bargaining agreement between the NRL and its clubs and players, which determine things like player pay and revenue shares.

No agreement there has meant no agreement has been possible for end of year international matches, which at the elite level involve a high number of players plying their trade in the NRL.

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RFL unfairly blasted for dithering

That has left the RFL in the impossible situation whereby they cannot confirm or announce the slated Tonga test series until the above is resolved.

And frustration at the lack of an international schedule is growing, particularly following a relatively positive World Cup.

Former Great Britain captain Garry Schofield was, perhaps harshly, critical of the RFL writing in his League Express column this week.

He said: “It’s hard to praise the Rugby Football League as the dithering over a desperately-needed autumn Test series continues.

“At this stage, we should know what’s happening in 2024, never mind this year, and the lack of a long-term schedule is all so predictable, frustrating and damaging.

“If we had an autumn series in place, marketing initiatives and ticket sales could be under way, while supporters would have something concrete to look forward to and talk about, creating the kind of buzz around the game which is so often lacking these days.”

The root cause of the issue is the distance between the NRL and the RFL and the rest of the international game. Ultimately, the NRL has existed and grown without the need for international matches.

Ten years on from the last home World Cup in 2013, which promised a legacy of regular international scheduling, rugby league is as behind the eight-ball when it comes to a worldwide schedule than it has ever been.

With the RFL and Super League seemingly continually locked in an internal struggle over the state of the game domestically, the NRL has cracked on and grown to another level.

England have no realistic elite level opposition in the northern hemisphere, and the likes of Australia and New Zealand know that England need them far more than they need England.

The fact that we’re almost now having to settle desperately for a series against Tonga, despite their progress in the last two World Cups, is perhaps an indication of how far down the pecking order the England national team has fallen.

It is also believed there have been some discussions over Samoa visiting England in 2024, with Australia and New Zealand unlikely to travel due to the 2025 World Cup being in the northern hemisphere.

There is no news from Down Under on when the CBA will be in place, though it is thought that discussions have been encouraging regarding the Tonga tour to England.

But there is still doubt over whether it will go ahead at all, and that doubt will remain until an official announcement is made.

VENUES: Verdict: Where should potential England-Tonga test series be held?