IMO, they should. The same players can't play (and shouldn't be expected to play) a 27 game season, plus cup and play-off games, then go straight into an international tournament.

It's slightly different for other squads (not playing at as high a level, not as many strains on the body etc) where they can select from a wide number of 'professional clubs'. There is one in France.

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