RFL ask fans’ opinion ahead of potential Great Britain Rugby League revival

It seems that the RFL have started to put things in motion ahead of a potential return of the Great Britain Rugby League Lions.

It was Great Britain that were the pre-eminent representative side for much of the 20th century, winning three World Cups and consistently taking on sides such as Australia and New Zealand.

Known as the Lions around three decades before it was used for the rugby union team, GB tours of Australia have been credited as a huge factor as to why rugby league is the main code in Australia.

Games were played consistently, against top-level competition, for decades.

However, since 2007, the Great Britain side have not been competing consistently, with its constituent countries representing themselves instead at Test level.

Last playing in 2019, the formerly well-loved concept was a laughing stock under Wayne Bennett, with very few non-English players and poor performances against Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

However, with an Ashes tour revival next year in the works, it seems that it might be Great Britain, rather than England, playing.

RFL lay groundwork for a Great Britain Rugby League revival

Reports emerged some weeks ago that it may be Great Britain, instead of England, making their way to Australia for the return of the Ashes tours, with a competition in the works for 2025.

Now, the RFL have released a questionnaire for ‘fan research’ on England and Great Britain Rugby League Lions.

In the questionnaire, it asks fans whether they have attended England games, both in the UK and overseas, for both the men’s and women’s teams.

It also asks whether people plan to go to games in the future – such as potential Test Series, and the women’s fixture in Las Vegas next year.

However, further questions move towards the Great Britain team – with questions such as “are you aware / proud of the heritage of Great Britain teams?’, ‘are you aware that the Great Britain Rugby League Lions toured the SOuthern Hemisphere in 2019?”.

However, most importantly, one question states: “England teams will continue to play games in England and play in Rugby League World Cups. Both the Men’s and Women’s Rugby League Teams will tour the Southern Hemisphere for Ashes Series in 2025.”

This finally reveals the RFL’s plans for international rugby, as some suggested they may change things so that it’s Great Britain that return to being the representative side in World Cups.

Fans are then asked whether they would prefer England or the Great Britain Rugby League Lions to be playing in the Ashes Series in 2025.

You can access the questionnaire here.