England's Test series with Samoa has whetted the appetite for international rugby league, and an improved calendar offers hope for more, writes Matt Newsum.
Live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, text commentary on BBC Sport website and appEngland men's football captain Harry Kane has 101 caps. His cricket counterpart Ben Stokes has played 107 Tests. Rugby union skipper Jamie George has worn the red rose 93 times.
Yet there is the perennial frustration in the northern hemisphere - for England in particular - that competitive matches, those appetite-whetting encounters featuring the world's best players, are so few and far between. "You see lads who have played for England rugby league for 10 years and they've still only got 20 caps - it's crazy really. You see the football and the rugby union lads and they've got hundreds."What is pleasing for England is that the calendar is finally being constructed to give head coach Shaun Wane and his players the opportunity to face elite level opposition in time for the World Cup in 2026.
"We've got that and then the World Cup and it's very important that we have a proper international calendar. It benefits the game and Super League - and hopefully the NRL and Super League understand that."Isaah Yeo captained Australia for the first time against New Zealand last weekend in what he called "the greatest moment" of a glittering career
Previously, the growth of Origin to an all-conquering giant had an eclipsing effect on the international game, but the enthusiasm of Australia head coach Mal Meninga and the appetite of the players themselves has led to a more focused push for Tests.
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