Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner that I love rugby league so

"It was like a Cockney convention," Adrian Morley said of his first morning training with the England squad. "A sign of the times. Amazing really." Gravesend's Tony Clubb, his Harlequins buddy and Isle of Dogs native Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Huddersfield's Darrell Griffin, another product of the London system from the Broncos days, all make their international debuts against Wales in the Gillette Fusion international at Doncaster on Friday. You can make that four, if you count ex Cumbrian farmer Rob Purdham, whose accent these days is mixed in with a smattering of Surbiton - all very Margo, marra.

Harlequins Head Coach Brian McDermott, pictured here playing for England against Wales in 2001, said: "This is great news for all three players and credit to their performances throughout a testing season that Quins have had. It also reflects the work that has been previously put into the likes of Clubby and Louie over the years by people like Phil Jones and Dave Evans. There are exciting times ahead for this club and I'm sure they won’t be the last players with a southern accent to play rugby league for their country."

And when someone says that no one gives a fig for rugby league in the south, because it is barely played there, as well as setting them straight, toss back at them the following: the previous record for the number of London juniors selected for the national squads at Under 14s, 15s, and 16s, in any year, was four. This year, 17 London juniors have been selected – ten at Under 14s (out of 40), four at Under 15s (out of 24) and three at Under 16s (out of 24). When Harlequins defeated Super League champions in June, seven of the side had come through the club's system. Bring on the saverners!

TONY SMITH GIVES EMERGING TALENT CHANCE - Read the preview in Friday's Times to the England v Wales match HERE 

Comments

[arthur snott]

I have to respond to this statement Louis
"Arthur, you're being pretty negative. Wales were outclassed, but they didn't fall apart. "

They did not fall apart they totally collapsed they were crap what planet are you on?

[LondonLouis]

Arthur, you're being pretty negative. Wales were outclassed, but they didn't fall apart. The English were clinical in their finishing, and kept their defence intact. A fair number of tries had to be scored through good support play. There were few errors.

As a Southerner, it was also good to see Purdham, Clubb and London Louie (I chose my moniker first) get their tries (Clubb with his first touch - an extraordinary feat).

[arthur snott]

Just got back from the so called international England v Wales at Doncaster, nice stadium lousy to get to why are we going there?
The game was a joke I did not see any skilfull Rugby League, it was comparable to a group of under 15's playing under 7's a bloody joke
what the hell has Tony Smith learnt from that?
I shall wade through the acres of coverage tomorrow and see what the reaction is, or maybe it weill get pushed out in favour of the footyengland v wales U21 a more entertaing game!

[Dearth Vadar]

Seen the Wales team, blimey.
England 100 Wales 4

[Mawlculm]

duz the kween live in lundun duz she playe wugbee weege

[Mike hunt]

Its a shame all these multitude of southerners playing amateur Rl etc, don't go along and support the only superleague club in the south I just don't get it???

[Numptyboy]

Apples and stairs, me old china, a barrel of eels mate, me plates of meat are killing me. Not that the name Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook sounds like an Isle of Dogs man - more a Chelsea oo yar. Rah rah rah!

[John O'Connor]

I remember years ago in TGG magazine there was an article with rhyming slang for RL. It was really funny: "we need a quick Albert"....Albert Hall (Play the Ball) etc etc

time for a revival?

[Mr Sheen]

Gord bless yer, Guv'nor! Quins might even do better than the 12th you're predicting for next year.