England national rugby league team season 2008

This article contains general information and statistics regarding the England national rugby league team's 2008 season.

From 2008 onwards, the England team will compete in all World Cups, international tournaments and Test series. This is instead of playing as Great Britain. This will support the RFL’s strategy for the growth and development of the sport in this country and throughout Europe. The separation of Great Britain will also create an important opportunity for the Celtic Nations to drive the growth of the game in their territories [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=9551 The Rugby Football League - Brand England Launched] Retrieved on 7 February 2008.] .

News

* 10th January - Head coach Tony Smith is set to become a British citizen having lived in Great Britain for 8 years. [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=9339 Rugby Football League - Smith To Become British] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7181643.stm BBC Sport - Smith To Become British Citizen] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 6th February - The new England logo is launched featuring the St George's Cross on a shield and the year "1895" on the badge, commemorating the foundation of the sport. It will replace the old badge featuring the three lions, which was thought to look out of date and not in keeping with the new and modern image that the RFL were giving to the team throughout 2008. [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=9550 Rugby Football League - New England Logo launched] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=9550 Super League Official Website - New England Logo Launched] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 19th March - The RFL announced that England would face France as part of their World Cup preparations in Toulouse at the end of June. It would be the teams first match of 2008 and the first international for many of the players since Great Britain played New Zealand in November 2007. Toulouse was picked as the venue, as the domestic Toulouse team had put in a bid for a Super League franchise and the test match would give a rough estimate of the popularity of Rugby League in Toulouse and the surrounding areas. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7305561.stm BBC Sport - England Facing trip To Toulouse] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=9954 RFL - Mid Season International Confirmed] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3324309,00.html Sky Sports - England Set For French Test] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 13th June - "Hearts Of England", a song performed by tenor Jonathan Ansell will be specifically used as the official song for the England team for the World Cup campaign. [ [http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10800 England RL - Classical Tenor Records England World Cup Song] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 16th June - The England shirt that will used in the World Cup is revealed at Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire. [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=10853 Rugby Football League - England Shirt Launched] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10801 England RL - World Cup Shirt Launched] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7458069.stm BBC News - New Kit And Captain Revealed] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] [ [http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10836 Super League Official Website - Shirt Launch Video] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.] It was later announced that the shirt is the fastest selling yet. [ [http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10870 England RL - New Shirt Is Fastest Selling Yet] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 16th June - It was confirmed that Jamie Peacock would captain the team for the international test match against France. [ [http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10799 Super League Official Website - Peacock Is England Captain] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 16th June - The new official England website is launched with History, Stats, News and Video sections. [ [http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10822 England RL - England Website Launched] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 19th June - England will meet Wales in Doncaster as their last opponents before the World Cup. [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=10867 Rugby Football League - England To Meet Wales] Retrieved on 20 June 2008.]
* 23rd June - Tony Smith announces the 19 players in his squad to face France. [ [http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10910 Super League Official Website - England Squad On England TV] Retrieved on 25 June 2008.] [ [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3726682,00.html Sky Sports - Fox Handed England Chance] Retrieved on 25 June 2008.]

Fixtures

tatistics

Players arranged in alphabetical order.

ee also

*England national rugby league team

References