You're doing a huge dis service to the players in the Irish team, the France players and supporters will be (correctly) disappointed in the weekend's result, but what incentive is there for France to play? They are already assured of a World Cup spot. Do this group of players want to be hammered by New Zealand, Australia and England in two years time?
Given the start Catalans had this season after a World Cup, why do they need the extra games?

Yes, France should be more competitive, but to lay the door squarely at Catalans door is an unreasoned and thoughtless argument. Are the RFL not to blame for not offering Toulouse an opportunity to apply for a licence? This would have grown the talent pool available to the French to choose from?

Players like Pelissier and Escare are now starting to come through the system, and before them, Bousquet, Simon and Duport but until a top quality half back comes through, France will never have a side capable of challenging at international level. That has to be the challenge for the Catalans within the next few years.

Unfortunately you just can't create players, You should know, London have been trying for the past 34 years.

Great result Ireland, truly a woo hoo moment!

they can still qualify though for the next 4 nations, the big one will be Scotland v France, they will prob bring in a few players that were missing for the Ireland defeat.

I know it has probably been said a million times on this forum already, but the only way to really make the french international team competitive, is if someone pumps a massive amount of money into the french league to make it a full time professional competition. Whilst I like the Catalans and do think they have a number of good homegrown players, 1 professional team is not a big enough player pool to sustain an international side who can compete at the highest level and they should be competing in France against other full time professional sides.

They could even then have some sort of Heineken Cup style competition every year.

Disagree, nz are competitive without a national pro league. Reality is, like nz, you need around 80-100 players playing in NRL or SL. Getting more French players in the Dragons squad plus bringing in another French club to SL plus more SL and NRL clubs scouting the best 16-20 year old French jnrs will eventually make them competitive. Having 12-15 French players in NRL or so regularly playing is t going to make much difference to the French INternational performances.

Nice one Mable