By Richard Cowley, Date: 14/1/13
England will play their last competitive international fixture before the 2013 World Cup on Friday June the 14th against the Exiles in the only International Origin for 2013.
For 2013 England v Exiles International Origin Teams click here
England have been building towards the World Cup over the last 4 years since their disappointing showing in the 2008 World Cup.
England coach Steve Mc’Namara will be hoping England’s last real hit out at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington in June will be enough to prepare the English troops. England’s opening World cup encounter will be against the number one ranked nation in the world Australia on the 26th of October.
The International Origin itself will give the English team a tough test but it still remains to be seen if England will be at full strength with a number of English players plying their trade in the NRL down under. NRL clubs will be reluctant to let players travel back to England mid season.
Either way the English team needs the International Origin with France and Wales still some years of providing the intensity the England team requires. Hopefully the International Origin series provides England with the foundation to break their World Cup drought.
2013 International Origin
– Jun 14th England v Exiles, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, UK
Last years results for International Origin
– Jul 4th England 20 – Exiles 32, Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, UK, Crowd: 7,865
– Jun 16th England 18 – Exiles 10, Langtree Park, St Helens, UK, Crowd: 11,083
