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Bailey backs 'Rest of World' clash
Pack ace Phil Bailey believes Super League's overseas stars would back a plan for England to play against an 'Other Nationalities' side.
Test coach Tony Smith suggested the idea after England eased to a 66-12 Test victory against France a week ago.
Since then, the proposal has gathered momentum with the RFL confirming they are looking into 'finding the right quality of opposition for the national team' – as well as prompting an angry backlash from France coach Bobbie Goulding.
And Bailey, a Kangaroos tourist in 2003, reckons Super League's contingent of former NRL stars would endorse the idea of turning out for a Rest of the World XIII.
The 29-year-old said: "I think it's a good idea. They have the Barbarians side in rugby union and that's well supported.
"You pretty much know when you come over to England that you're giving up the chance to play representative rugby, so it would be nice to have a one-off game – I think the players would love it.
"France are still in the rebuilding stage so I can see the logic in England playing a World side. You could certainly put together a decent side, given the number of quality Australian and New Zealand players in Super League."
It has been questioned whether the Australians, New Zealanders and South Sea Islanders would be prepared to play against England in a 'meaningless' match.
But Bailey thinks any reservations are more likely to come from the home players and their clubs.
The former New South Wales star added: "It'd only be one extra game for the Aussies and Kiwis who played.
"I think it would depend more on the England players getting behind the idea, as they're the ones who already play more games with the other international matches.
"It would also need the clubs to allow the overseas players to take part, but if they backed it, I think it would be a great idea."
England play New Zealand and Australia later this year in the Four Nations, a tournament that also includes France.
But France coach Goulding, the former Wigan scrum-half, has hit out at Smith's plan.
He said: "The Aussies beat Great Britain 64-10 in 2002.
"Imagine if they'd said they weren't going to bother with the 2003 Ashes series because it wouldn't be competitive enough for them."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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