I'm sure the BBC would take it on but, how much will they pay ?
Or, has cash become irrelevant in your Leigh centric universe.

Indeed. I'm sure we're talking about the same BBC that still doesn't show our highlights programme nationally at a sociable hour, and that offered practically nothing to broadcast the England vs Samoa game earlier this year, resulting in it being broadcast on a PPV online stream - such was the interest from broadcasters.

I've voted Leigh - yes, because I have supported them for many years, but also because I believe they will have deserved to have an extended chance in SL. In this 'new' version of P&R, teams no longer enjoy a protected period in SL, like Catalans did, for instance. Leigh are moving towards an academy and reserve set up, have superb facilities and have been competitive on the pitch. Catalans appear to have been in a steady decline, both on and (apparently) off the pitch. They need to get that sorted out, get more Frenchmen in their team - or what is the point of a french team in SL - and come back stronger for it. HKR appear to have done just that, during their year in the Championship, and so could Catalans. (or Leigh)

Catalans are well supported at home. How many fans do they bring to 'unattractive venues' such as Leigh? (or Castleford, or Leeds, or Wigan!

) Ask the owners of those clubs, how much Leigh have contributed to their coffers this season - and how much Catalans have!

SL is supposed to be a 'competition', is it not? Remove the jeopardy factor of 'P&R' and I fail to see the point of the competition. Teams will surely revert to 'drifting along' without any incentive to better themselves.

Finally, a genuine question - has the French competition improved, during Catalans' time in SL?

Is the NRL, NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, IPL, Super Rugby pointless competitions?

All the above do not have P&R

Catalans are worth to a club however much a club wants to exploit it. Leeds probably made more from their games against Catalans than they did against Leigh (and most other lower league opponents) by flying a 737 full of local businessmen to Perpignan at £500 + Vat per seat. That's marketing at work.

Leigh brought probably little more than 1-1.5k fans who are worth, at best, £20 a year to the club.

And I take issue with the lack of incentive to better themselves line. Putting professional pride aside, surely the chance to win things, achieve international honours and experience the sport at the highest level is an incentive in itself - much more of an incentive than being "the 11th best team"?

Apart from the "away fans" issue, your argument doesn't hold water.

Since Catalan's inclusion in SL, there are certainly more French players in SL than ever before, albeit, some are now playing for British clubs.

The French competition must be a little stronger as, Toulouse are now challenging for a SL spot and IF there were 2 French clubs in the top flight (probably your worst nightmare), this would lift the profile of RL in France further. still

Although the current structure has allowed Leigh their shot at the big time, the current format will not allow any promoted club the chance to build as without doubt, any they will be back in the Middle 8's the following season, "investing" their cash in journeyman pro players, instead of bringing youngsters through.

This was the one major plus of the "franchise" system and for a while we were seeing increased numbers of young British players getting some game time and we have certainly gone backwards in this key area.

The middle 8's has become quite a draw with the armchair spectators but, its difficult to see how any club at the lower end of the comp, can avoid the perpetual struggle in The Qualifiers and be able to properly build for the future

And how about the leagues in other competitions that do have P&R - are they all unsuccessful? It's all down to opinion, isn't it?

There are a number of french players in SL, both at Catalans and other clubs. One of the reasons for including Catalans, was to improve the standard of French international rugby, but there hasn't been any noticeable improvement at that level - or indeed in English international rugby, in comparison with Australia.

I am not against the inclusion of Catalans, or Toulouse, or any French team in SL. (I still haven't got my head around the logistics of a Canadian/North American team being included) And I agree that the current 'Middle 8' system is flawed. My opinion still is that a team should earn the right to a place in SL, and the right to stay there. If Catalans (or Leigh) lose that right tomorrow, so be it. I would like to think that either of them will be able to demonstrate the strength/will to regain a place next season.

One thing for certain - if Catalans lose, it will be the end of McBanana's coaching career. Well, at least that's something to look forward to.

On paper Cats have enough to win this game, but in my opinion they don't have much chance of doing so, neither do they deserve it at present (on the field).

I thought one of the reasons London failed to grow a fan base was the constant moving between grounds every 3-4 years.

What's changed that means that the nomadic existence can stop, and London Broncos have a 10-15 year period playing in the same ground / area of London, growing to the sort of fan base that many posters on here believe London has the potential to have?

I do find it a bit odd when the 'usual suspects', particularly American Sports, are rolled out in defence of licensing, league and play off structures when the geography, demographic and league set up bear no comparison to ours.

Anyway, FWIW, I hope that you guys stay up, the current Catalan offering needs a shake up, being aggressive is one thing, I quite liked earlier, tough uncompromising versions, but, they appear to be playing disinterested, niggly, poor RL and have lost their way IMO.

If they do go down, hopefully they will be refreshed and rediscover their RL mojo and be part of a possible expanded SL on merit, not just because the perception is that we need an offer outside the heartlands to remain relevant

Whatever happened to Paris, the great RL saviour?

Inferior product if Catalan go down?? ... look at the championship next season if they do, Catalan-Toronto-Toulouse- London- Fev and Fax. I would say Sky will drop quite a few mediocre SL games for some of those games in the championship

I'd settle for that, Uncle Rico!

Yep , all boring as hell

maybe they earned the right to be in super league,and did not buy a place,or just get placed in it in the first place.

In your opinion. Amount of people who watch the games prove otherwise

Regards

King James

Why? Huddersfield have a stadium but no fans

Regards

King James

Plenty of people watch X factor, strictly and Britains got talent and countless other boring crap

Your point being ?

London have neither

Regards

Pretentious pillock

Who cares?

You may think so but isn't the main point that those sports do just fine without promotion and relegation.

One tries to argue with that sports needs promotion and relegation yet there is enough evidence out there which proves otherwise.



Does that happen in the NRL. I fail to see how having no P&R means clubs cannot strive to do better?

We have a salaried cap competition so in theory should be able to produce a competition where a team can finish 8th and still reach the Grand Final like the Queensland cowboys have done so. 8th plays 1st in Australia.

How can that be not be called exciting?

Leeds Rhino's finished 9th last season. Now in a licensing model can anyone tell me those players and staff would be any less hungry to bounce back this year?

Surely you don't believe that Leeds would of just accepted 9th and this year not gave a damn and happy to finish closer to the bottom?

But what about the championship

would you say this if you was a fev, fax or bulls fan. Probably not franchiseimg will kill us off like it did a few clubs last time

Think of the away days London, Toronto, Toulouse and maybe Perpignan, oh yes and Batley, Fev and Halifax etc

You cant sight Bradford as failing under franchising, they have failed under every system, even before franchising was ever dreamed up.

On a more serious note, promoted clubs would have more chance of survival if it was 1 up 1 down, which could still be decided by a MPG but, this would leave a conundrum as to how to fill the fixture programme, unless we had the innovative play everyone twice (both home and away) and then have play off semi finals and a GF or, declare the top side as champions

At my ripe old age, that has a familiar ring to it.

Ah the good old days when every team attracted crowds - and virtually every team provided members of the international squad! Of course, there was no P&R, as every team was in one big league!

Indeed , feel free to move to those other country's to watch those other sports

It's a free world