Official response from Rochdale Board please. You have a great history - what's your response?

These guys welcome you to Toulouse, and judging by the hospitality to all teams including the Leigh players and supporters, you will be welcomed. Food and wine, plus beers I'm sure.

Bastien Ader from Toulouse got 4 weeks, the minimum for biting. But ...... Quote The DVD clearly shows the player being subject to a forceful grapple tackle by the opponent and both players go to the ground. The player has a broken nose and possibly had some difficulty breathing. It is accepted the opponents arm should not have been around the player’s mouth. - See more at: www.rugby-league.com/the_rfl/dis ... fY2Ce.dpuf'" which escaped being put on report, and went unpunished. I don't think Rochdale will be saying anything more, but the next time this coach opens his mouth maybe he'll think twice. What do you think?

Bastien Ader from Toulouse got 4 weeks, the minimum for biting. But ...... Quote The DVD clearly shows the player being subject to a forceful grapple tackle by the opponent and both players go to the ground. The player has a broken nose and possibly had some difficulty breathing. It is accepted the opponents arm should not have been around the player’s mouth. - See more at: www.rugby-league.com/the_rfl/dis ... fY2Ce.dpuf'" which escaped being put on report, and went unpunished. I don't think Rochdale will be saying anything more, but the next time this coach opens his mouth maybe he'll think twice. What do you think?

Not sure if I'm being a bit thick but doesn't it say here -

They are paying for teams to go over during the CC, ie they'll have paid for Leigh to travel to France.

That's correct. To the best of my knowledge Toulouse pay for visiting teams travel expenses.

Toronto will do the same.

The same model was adopted by the Auckland Warriors who pay for all NRL teams to go to NZ.

So each and every week of the season, international clubs are paying team travel expenses. They also are paying for full time squads. That's a massive investment and it needs to be respected.

In RU though, international competition seems to be financed by the Club themselves - they have a lot more money and are developing multi national unions through the IRB to attract sponsors, the like of HSBC etc. Japan, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and NZ regularly fly teams between countries, and are underpinned by the National Unions. The IRB has a long term plan to develop the World 7's circuit which feeds the market further.

For example, the Australian Rugby Union financed the US$4 million loss last year in the long ongoing establishment of 1 Club in 1 city in Australia, to combat expansion against other footy codes, ;ike the NRL [ Melbourne Storm and AFL [ huge in Australia - weekly 250,000 crowds in Melbourne - more for big games .

The RFL/NRL simply do not have the funds or current organisation to expand without Toulouse and Toronto contributing, and the heartland Clubs clearly are not able to invest, except in player development and local grass roots. Toulouse and Toronto can provide aspirations for younger players to travel and populate overseas teams [ somewhat . The bigger picture is however important.

That's why it's vital that international Clubs seed the game and be encouraged to get to top level asap. They also have to become sustainable to support the RFL's plans, especially on a promotion path. Those Clubs have to come out of League 1 quickly or it jeopardizes the system and RL.

There is money to back it up by separating the international sponsorship markets, if the Clubs can get to the top tier, and entertain. Clearly the US has potential, but the model needs to be tested.

That's why I got very irritated with the Rochdale coach for his short sightedness, and potential to disrupt what would ultimately benefit Rochdale themselves, their players and the community. It would be good if he contributed thinking for the good of the game. But then, he may not have been aware - and i cannot judge him for that.

Personally I've never yelled at someone if they invited me to dinner or paid for my flights - so to speak. What I mean is, maybe the Rochdale coach and people like him need to consider why it's in their interests to be a bit more supportive of this international expansion.

I'm sure forums like this can help to get thoughts shared out there to support the RFL cause. It's vital those that love RL get behind the expansion, and help make it work for the good of the game.

snowman, how come this has stuck in your craw particularly, are you a rochdale fan?

That's it. That's all.