Last time I checked, it was a European Super League. They have every right to enter the league. You can call it babysitting all you like, but it is not an English league.

It would be good to be in a position to have a French League at pro level, but it isn't just going to happen on its own due to the level of the sport there.

its true though, they do exaggerate.
I don't have that as fact but you can get an idea and when the crowds are published it's a bit hmm

The 12 English teams we have at the moment barely produce many decent English players. Why have more? Just because more are playing doesn't make them any good.

Plus, where is the money coming from for these two extra English teams? The point I was making (before you spouted your anti-French b*llocks) was that if a FRENCH TV company were to make a deal for SL rights (i.e. enough to fund the inclusion of more teams from France). Do you think French TV will want more English teams for the extra money they'd want to put in?

So, next month then?

It would be good to be in a position to have a French League at pro level, but it isn't just going to happen on its own due to the level of the sport there.



























So you agree then and you were just arguing a point to suit YOUR view

Reality check needed by a few on here, those folk who dont want french teams in "our" league are forgetting that it is suposed to be the European Super league thats what Sky want & they are financing it. The ultimate goal is to be like the champions league in soccer. Why are so many people hell bent on turning back the clock to some mythical golden age that actualy never existed?

Even if those "official" do not match up to reality and often vary deoending on which media outlet they appear in? Published RL attendence figures in france have been dubious for a number years.

A cup competition run in addition to existing domestic leagues? Doesn't look like it to me

Lets keep adding French teams to SL until there are no English teams left. Now there's a radical thought

Stick to commenting on the NRL Dally, your comments above show you know jack about the British game. Start by reading up on the dire straits Celtic and Gateshead are in at the moment.

waiting for godot eh mate?

heck theyve finished cities quicker than the east stand will take to finish

apparently rome wasnt built in a day. nor was the east stand

i know enough about your game to know fax dont deserve a SL spot.

then again it doesnt take einstein to work out who the failed heartland clubs are who waste the RFLs money and do nothing in return for it

ive ignored you for 12 months, but for the first time im going to reply to you

you are spot on the money here.

Not official yet, but it seems France 3 Sud has agreed to show the French Championship & Cup Final this season. A regional channel, but free-to-air. It's not that long since the federation had to pay for tv coverage.

French clubs never really bothered too much about attendances in the past - members get in free, there's very few people who pay on the gate and most of the money came from grants from local government. Crowd figures often come from journalists rather than the club.

RS is right - Toulouse do have about 1000 regulars at the moment, compares well to clubs like Lyon who have more like 50 or 60. The question is really whether they could emulate Catalans and turn that into a much bigger number in SL.

So I agree with what? That France can't operate a full-time professional league because the sport isn't at a big level there at the moment? Is there anyone that DOESN'T agree with that?

What point am I arguing there to suit MY view? That isn't my view, that is pretty much a fact.

How would adding two teams to the league (taking it from 14 to 16) mean you are taking away any English teams?

Answers would be nice here, as it appears there is a significant flaw in your argument.

I don't think the actual aim is to be like the Champions League as that is a different kind of competition (i.e. group stages into a knock-out) whereas ours is a league with a play-off. But agree with the point about it not being an English league though as much as the parochial few would like to think.

There is a HUGE flaw in anyone's argument at the moment that adding more English teams would be a good idea. We're struggling to find enough talent for 12 at the moment. How would adding more make this any better?

That wasn't an idle wish, it was a statement of fact. It is due to open at the end of January. All the seats have virtually gone in in the last 2 weeks and the interior is virtually completed.

Take a look:

[urlhttp://www.calderdale.gov.uk/webcam/shaycam.jpg[/url

[urlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/halifaxrlfc/sets/72157622576012214/[/url

And likewise, there isn't enough talent in France to satisy one Super League team and one Championship side at the moment.

It seems that the Cataland method, 2 years warning that they'll be moved up, followed by 4 years bedding in, seems the most sensible model for expansion. as stated elsewhere, expansionism will not happen over night. it has to be a slow process. baby steps all the way.

i agree there isn't the talent pool to accomodate 2 pro teams in SL at present. What you will get is NL1 players, playing at a higher level. the few naturally gifted and talented players may rise up, but what kind of development from them can you expect if they play in a beaten team every week?

But you have to bear in mind that Catalans had a number of years preparation beforehand in the Elite league; any UK-based should establish themselves at a lower level (on a level playing field, I might add) before being pushed down the SL route.

I disagree, there are enough SL players for 2 French teams, as long as both teams have 8 ozzies in the 17. Catalans alone have about 20 French SL grade players, what would be lsot would be depth, but the greater reliance on academy players would mean twice as many players developed every year.
From a Catalan fan pov I would rather we stay a top club than be diluted to having us and TO in the bottom half of the table, but the players are there.

Selfish flatcapper

The players might be there but Toulouse don't have them.

UTC had the pick of the French players but Toulouse haven't.

I agree that TO are far too fearful to stretch themselves to signing the players they should, but a year's notice and they will be able to challenge the "financial might" of the Catalans and sign their share of top players - Frankly there are enough SL quality forwards who are not getting first-pick in the side.