Because I said so.

If TO and Paris were proposed for 2012 we would need to see expansion of the league by two clubs, which would require some french TV money. Possibly the French clubs would get French tv money +2/3 of a UK share of the SKY money. With the extra clubs would expect SKY to offer a bit more, though probably can't afford ~20% more.
Expanding into France would have the advantage of not diluting the UK player pool into more clubs, so keeping the level high. More clubs would mean more games/more gate money, even though some clubs would not bring away fans. Hopefully we would see more rotation of playing squad to reduce player burnout, so better use of academy players and more player development.
From a french pov, yes the Catalan side would be less competitive as players would be drawn to TO and Paris. However this year we have far too many Forwards, we could lose half of them and still have a great pack; suprisingly we also have 4 french halves in our 25 man squad, so would expect to be able to offer two to TO/Paris. Obviously all three French clubs would need 8 Antipodeans to compete, but compete they should (better than Salford/Crusaders last year).

The LER would struggle with their best players drawn into the french clubs for a couple years. That said TO are already out of it, St Esteve/XIII Catalan still play a mid-table role and Paris do not yet exist to leave a gap.
I agree it would be good to see a Paris team involved in the LER and in the SL academy comp before they were to join, though France plan to field a French academy side in the SL academy comp, replacing the Catalan academy side (than Iestyn Harris doesn't believe exists).

It's called demotion. Oh, hang on a minute...we scrapped that....

I still think some sort of European Cup competition wouldn't be a bad idea but it seems most people tend to disagree.

i wouldnt have a problem with that. Though i would argue a joint play-off structure would mean it was the same competition.

I would also argue it would be much more difficult for a newly formed french SL to support the development of the rest of europe than the stronger british SL.

i expect if we went to that sort of structure we would probably look at having two mixed british and european leagues

Fully agree with Smokey.
The RU club is expanding its stadium and Max Guazzini, the chairman of the RU club, sees an opportunity to use the stadium all year with a RU club (winter competition) and a RL club (summer competition).

The Stade Francais is a big opportunity.

First the inclusion of Paris in the competition will change dramatically the potential of the competition for French media. With Paris in, Orange and other broadcasters will be ready to pay substantial amounts of money to get the rights of this competition.

Second, the SF presents very good guarantees. The PSG was a football club, with the first troubles, and the lack of backing of French clubs, it threw in the towell quickly. This time, SF is a rugby club and a RL club will benefit from its structures. It is seen as a long term complement to the RU club. The success of the SF in rugby in Paris (started as a very small club, now on of the biggest in Europe) bodes also very favourably for the chances of success of a RL club there. Finally, the French RL clubs and RL Federation are now fully backing the idea of French clubs goings in SL.

If the SF was included with Toulouse in 2012 I believe that this would give a new dimension to the SL very quickly. Transforming it in the real European competition it aimed to be when it started.

To start with, SL would certainly be able to rely on a significant amount of French TV money.

Isn’t Paris a poorer London. Juts look what London did for rugby league

Stade are rumoured to have a wage bill of over 20mill. quid. They are bringing in a salary cap in FRU next year of around 7 mill. Maybe he is looking for somewhere to spend the rest and bring in RL players who may be able to make it through to his true interest. Like Wrexham who only seem to be in it to help out the soccer club, I have grave reservations letting any team in just to assist another sport, especially in area that is unlikely to add anything to SL in terms of jnr development, Tv viewers, fanbase etc.

Should have no problem finding 10 million over 6 years then , if they want in fine , just stump up the cash first

again with this 6 year thing huh? lets make it 10, its a more round number.

I think he has picked 6 years as it is the length of 2 sl licences, enough for a team to put down roots and build up a support base.

:204duwmf


Correct , it will not be good enough for them to just buy the best squad of players available [ mostly from abroad ie Aus/NZ/GB to win SL [ cant wait





yeah lets question LC place.

so why not give your computer back to him then so i can get an intelligent debate then ...

I am not suggesting a bond , just that if the RFL are willing to put another club directly into SL they take appropriate precautions to make sure the people running the club are doing so for the right reasons and have the health of the sport as a priority

Probably because you and "intelligent debate" are oxymoronic.

so you agree 6 years isnt necessary then?

thanks

over and above income to run a new club to a reasonable standard in SL from scratch for 6 years , that length of time being what a completely new club would need to get established both on and off the field

I'm not sure how things are done in australia, but here in more civilised lands we have more than one computer, we dont have to pass it round.

If you wanted an intelligent debate you shouldnt have spent the last 6761 posts convincing us you were incapable of such a thing.