Parliament celebrates England success

A motion has been tabled in the House of Commons congratulating England on their success in beating the top world ranked team in the three match series.

The motion also appears to take a swipe at the England rugby union team, and notes the Test series win “restored pride to English and northern hemisphere rugby after the disappointing performance of the England rugby union team in the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup.”

After a 26-12 victory in the first test match at Hull FC’s KC Stadium, England were defeated 9-2 by New Zealand at the Olympic Stadium in London, setting up a decisive third test match at Wigan’s DW Stadium.

England ran out 20-14 winners to clinch their first major series win in eight years.

Tabling the motion was Group Chairman and Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland. He said: “This series was a great advert for international rugby, and I am delighted that England were able to secure victory over the highest ranked side in the world.

“I am already looking forward to an exciting Four Nations tournament in 2016 between England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand.”

Yvonne Fovargue, MP for Makerfield and Wigan Warriors fan, supported the Motion. She said: “It was fantastic to see another sold out stadium watching rugby league and the whole country should be very proud of an England rugby team doing so well against a solid southern hemisphere nation.

“It puts England and Scotland in a great place for the Four Nations.”

The motion reads:

EDM 718: England Victory in Rugby League International Test Series

That this House celebrates England’s victory against New Zealand in the rugby league international series; recognises this achievement, England beating the top world ranked team 2-1 in the three test matches and the first time a Home Nations side has won an international competition against New Zealand or Australia since 2007; congratulates England coach Steve McNamara and the England squad on this success; notes that England has restored pride to English and Northern hemisphere rugby after the disappointing performance of the England Rugby Union team in the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup; commiserates with the Kiwis who remain the number one international rugby league side in the world and holders of the Four Nations; looks forward to the 2016 Four Nations tournament between Australia, England, New Zealand and Scotland hosted in England and Scotland and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea; and hopes that England can repeat this success in those competitions also.