With the announcement of the tour by the Australian Kangaroos causing such excitement, it got me thinking about what else we could do to maximise this opportunity for the game over here beyond the three tests at Wembley, the new Everton Stadium and the fairly controversial choice of Headingley.

When the first Ashes series here in over 20 years was first suggested, it was stated that it had to be one game in London, one in Lancashire and one in Yorkshire, OK that box has been ticked, but it’s certainly fair to say that many people had expected the MKM Stadium in Hull to be the Yorkshire host, as opposed to a Headingley stadium which does have a smaller capacity, while some others expected Elland Road to be the main choice.

However, those three venues are now set in stone, and England coach Shaun Wane, a former Leeds player has come out and defended the choice of Headingley, but I have an idea that I wish, in my role as an RFL accredited journalist to push forward that could suit more people, while dissipating the controversy about the choices of venues, because I believe it is also fair to say that Wembley has its critics as well.

My idea also refers to what people have said about the recent test series’ against Tonga and Samoa on these shores, when people said that both touring teams would have provided a better test for England had they had some warm-up games before playing the full internationals and that idea is that Australia potentially play warm-up games against revived Yorkshire and Lancashire teams.

Another warm-up for them could also be the match that the MKM Stadium has missed out on, by having the Kangaroos play against a combined Hull FC/Hull KR team, unless they play Yorkshire there.

It would also maybe help increase interest, particularly at Wembley if there was a curtain-raiser between the Yorkshire and Lancashire teams before the first test match and could then maybe lead into a three-match Origin style War of the Roses between the age-old combatants either during next season, or as a series of curtain raisers before each test match which could also help ticket sales should the Kangaroos, as expected, wrap up the Ashes series in the 2^nd test and make the final game the rather unwanted dead rubber, if indeed local pride is still at stake between the two bitter county rivals.

The idea for the combined Hull FC/Hull KR team taking on the Aussies would potentially kick in if, for instance Elland Road was picked for the Yorkshire v Australia match and could include names such as Lewis Martin, Jez Litten, Zak Hardaker, Peta Hiku, Tom Briscoe, Jordan Rapana and Tyrone May for instance, very competitive players, but who are not going to feature in the test series, they would unquestionably provide a very good workout for the visiting team in Green and Gold, with some familiar names for the travelling support to catch-up with on this side of the world.

Please, message us and let us know what you think, and would it create more interest for you?

Written by Ian Judson (Site contributor & Hull FC fan)