Just an idea, what if the British Championship and the French Elite leagues were restructured so as to create an easier route to Super league. At present, any French team with Super League Aspirations (Toulouse) are having to enter the Championship in order to qualify for the chance to apply for Super league. This means extra travelling costs for the British clubs as well as devaluing the French Domestic league, Elite 1. What if there was a European Championship play off system introduced where the top 4 clubs from each league played off, with an eventual final. Then a club that reached the final over the 3 year period could apply for Super League. this would proabably favour the British Clubs but when create a clear pathway for French teams, and would mean Toulouse could return to the French League.

It would prove problematic , having a play off system would be very difficult for travelling fans , and with the numbers Championship fans have , you could end up with a fairly low key final , as it stands the RFL can invite any French club except Toulouse to submit a SL application ( yes

I know ) , whereas they have to qualify

The only thing stopping a second French club going into SL at this moment is the lack of enough French SL quality players , and probably the RFL s reluctance to having to pick another British/English club to drop out , providing of course SL stays at 14 , which is the optimum number

Of course I'm sure a SL club will happily sacrifice itself at some time in the future for the good of the International game

The best format for a European Club Cup would probably be a mid-season competition with the top four from both competitions in 2 groups with a final (instead of the NRC). Leave the NRC to the other clubs, and leave the French to their own league at this level (it's just as good). Gives fans a chance to book a trip in the summer time.

Except they play in winter , we play in summer , and unless there was some serious money involved it would be a big loser for all the clubs

SL is the place for continental competition , not part time teams

Why do we even care about French rugby? The whole idea of having overseas/homegrown player rules is to help us compete at international level with Australia and New Zealand, but then we let a French team into what was an English league??? I didn't see the French inviting an English team to compete with them. We'll have our league and they can have theirs. It's tough enough changing the rules every season so the Crusaders can stay in Super League.

Perhaps actually having some international competition would help us be better prepared to play Australia and New Zealand? As well as broadening the player pool to make the league more intense?

You didn't see the French inviting the English to compete with them because it is a stupid suggestion that would benefit no-one and so no-one suggested it. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon or a brain scientist to work that one out.

You ever heard of the recession mate? More matches in France? No thanks. I already miss one away match every year because I can't get the time or the money together to go. No thanks. Fans don't matter though do they?

So instead of one match, it'd be two. Massive difference.
And instead of Toulouse playing 10 games in England, it'd be 3.
And instead of the RFL paying travel for 20 games to and from France, it'd be 17.

So yeah, I've heard of the recession. And I think the RFL should be looking to be more sensible with how they spend money on travel.

Thank God you're not a football fan. Two games in France a year and you're up in arms! RU and football have many many more.

Lol @ u

Since when has The "European Super League" been an English league.

Yeah, the league hasn't been English since 1995! As for leaving the French for themselves, we need to look at supporting the game wherever possible, not just the M62 Corridor. It's hardly ideal that traditional clubs have to make way for expansionist clubs, but the powers that be seem unlikely to increase the number of clubs in the league anytime soon!

As for the increased number of games abroad for Championship clubs and their fans there wouldn't be much of an impact really. For example, based on last years results, Featherstone (who topped the regular season table) would have been home home to Villeneuve (4th placed french team) and then should they win that game they would have another home which would then lead to a final, so it would only be one or two overseas games a year. As the seasons being at different times of year, that would be a majot sticking point! As for the recession, the Rugby League would take 10 years to introduce such a plan so hopefully the economic climate would've improved by then (fingers crossed).

But they would be played in quick succession and therefore either exremely expensive to attend or only attended by home fans , the average away following in the Championship is probably 100/150 per team

It is a bad idea

If i wander outside of the M62 for more than half a day i go dizzy.

Some people may not care about missing the odd match - i do. I can't afford one match in France let alone two. Forgive me for being negative about it.

Yeah fair enough, it would be difficult for the fans, particularly with relatively short notice!

Not in their 2nd tier comp they dont do they?

In football terms it would be 5th/6th in England 3rd/4th in other coutries

Are fans of teams in the lower leagues on lower incomes than those in the top tier?

That's why I wrote this

Again, I know, that's why I wrote this

Possibly if they live in small towns rather than cities , but that isn't the issue here is it ? , there are problems because of the mismatched timing of the seasons , and unless there was some serious prize money at stake I doubt clubs would be too interested

When does the French season finish? Play it straight after that possibly?

Why does it matter if there is serious money at stake if it's being paid for? Do they not want to be crowned best in Europe?
Is there serious money in the WCC?

The best in Europe ? , apart from the best in Europe being in SL , maybe we could call it the World Series , it would be just as relevant

Stupid idea , not worth any further comment , we already play one game in France too many

That's not the point though is it? You said other teams play in Europe, but they only seem to at the top level of the sport.

Why isn't it the point? Someone complained that they wouldn't be able to go to every game. Whether that was in the 2nd tier or the 1st tier is irrelevant. If they got to the top tier, and had to start playing more games in Europe, would that no longer be a problem all of a sudden? Would they not want to go to every game anymore? Or would they suddenly have more money?

As for top tier, what tier will Birmingham be playing in the Europa League from next year?

Sorry, should have said "at that level".


I disagree, and apparently so do others.
It would be good for the development of the game in Europe. Better than the current "stick Toulouse in the Championship" idea.

You thinking it's a stupid idea not worthy of any further comment isn't really an argument.