JAKE Betts knows in the years to come he will have fond memories of playing alongside his brother Jedd in a Western Rams jersey against France, but he wants more memories to add to it.
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After being part of the Rams outfit which went down 22-20 in a nail-biter against the French on Wednesday night in Parkes, Betts has joined those calling for more open age representative league.
The French game was the first time the Bathurst Panthers lock had worn the green and white since he took part in the 2018 Country Championships campaign as a member of the under 23s Rams side.
It was just the second opportunity he'd had in a open age Rams side - the other being against the Federation of Italia Rugby League outfit at Carrington Park in 2017.
That was the same year that Country Rugby League changed the structure of its open championship and capped the age at under 23s.
That means there is no regular Rams representative opportunities for players who are too old for that age bracket, but Betts thinks that needs to change.
"I think it's something that Country Rugby League need to look at definitely because just how everyone turned up and how keen everyone is, it shows how much passion there is to wear the Rams jersey. It is something pretty special," he said.
"It's a bit of a kick in the guts really when you get to that age and they say it's all over, so it would be really good to bring it back.
"It's got to happen."
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Betts feels that CRL could both retain its under 23s Country Championship and reintroduce an opens division. While not overly optimistic it will eventuate, he would relish more time in a Rams jumper.
"There's no reason they can't have both, I don't think anyway. I guess we'll see what happens," he said.
"It's always good [to play for the Rams], some of those Group 10 boys you're used to playing against and wishing you didn't have to tackle, it's a bit refreshing that they're on your side.
"The Group 11 boys, they are talented blokes, real good footy players, so it's just really good to just be in the same class as them and get to run around on the same field as them."
As for the game against France, Betts enjoyed the experience.
The strong support from the crowd at Jock Colley Field and calling his brother Jedd a team-mate added to the occasion.
"We're very fortunate we've grown up together and played a lot of footy together. This was something pretty special and we'll be able to tell a lot of people about it when we get older," he said.
"It was a good experience that's for sure. It surprised me a little bit the crowd that was there, it was really good they got behind it all, it was a good game, a close game, it was pretty tough and physical and it was good to be a part of it.
"I wouldn't say it was intimidating, it was more a rev up to get to test yourself against world class players, Super League players, so you could see where you were at with your own footy.
"I was confident we could be competitive, in that Riverina game we gelled. We defended really well and everyone turned up for each other, so I knew we'd be in it, I just didn't know how close it would be."
