The priority should be sorting the game out here before fannying about with a Canadian team of all places. No wonder the game (in particular the amateur game) is mess if the people at the top constantly look at short term fixes with pound signs in their eyes. I honestly can't see this franchise being sustained long term - what is the point. And someone give me a reason other than exposure and raising the profile.

I went to Windsor Ontario a few years back during late January and flew into Toronto. Bloody cold, an ice storm and loads of snow. I suppose if they play their first 4 or 5 weeks in the UK they'll be through the worst of the weather by the time they play their first homes games.

Bless....

So if a Canadian club comes to the RFL with a proposal they should just ignore it? Regardless of what potential it might have?

It's not like the RFL went searching for a Canadian team to put into League 1.

I don't see how Toronto having a franchise is going to have a negative impact on the amateur game/grassroots over here. From what I've seen this isn't going to cost the RFL a penny. Its all funded by themselves so what's the problem.
They're not taking away services or money from The amateur game to put into this project.

The people who are moaning about the franchise are the same people who moan when we get spanked by the NRL and how superior their league is to ours and how rubbish SL is and "look at the salary cap difference"etc

How do we close the gap and sort out the amateur game and lack of development officers? More investment! To get more investment you need greater exposure!

This may completely fail. But if it does so what. We'd be no worse off as a sport and won't have lost anything. If it succeeds then great.

I'm for expansion if done right. Not just rushing clubs through in ridiculous areas costing the sport money that could be better invested elsewhere. Yes this is a massively bold project, but we've got someone who is willing to invest in that ambitious project so it's a no lose situation for me.

Wish them the best of luck

Facebook and Twitter are in absolute meltdown over this. It's a total cesspit of xenophobia and ignorance. I've lost count of how many have wrongly called it 'RFL funded', whinged that 'we should be putting money into Cumbria' and asked the irrelevant 'how will the semi-pro sides afford the travel'. Seriously, why can't people just read before they comment?

I think it's a bit bonkers myself, but the RFL ultimately have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. It's ultimately worth it.

the RFL are a bluddy discrace !!

Bring it on i hope it works, but if it does how long will the rich guy who is paying for it all carry on paying if they do well and get promoted

The luddites are out in force on social media (and a few on this thread too).

Pity RL has such a large ignorant, small minded, xenophobic element following it.

One of the best arguments I've read is one that says "if these new clubs are successful, we could lose a traditional club". Yeh, let's do all we can to keep those ambition-less clubs that have achieved nothing in 120 years, and turn away investment and ambition.

Posted on this on TotalRL too, the only people moaning are the fans who think it wont work! If they are funding it fair play, the only people whos opinion matter are the players of the teams going, I know a few who play in championship 1 and yet to speak to anyone who isnt buzzing at the thought of getting paid to go to canada and play rugby. What a great team bonding exercise it will be. I think people are over reacting I think it will be great for the sport.

How long will Hudgell pump money into Rovers, or McManus into Saints?

I've read that there are a number of investors on board, albeit it's being driven by one person inparticular.

Unlike most of the Championship & League 1 clubs, Superleague is their aim, and we should do all we can to provide the stage for that investment and ambition to go as far as it can.

The End is Nigh

No way. I think it's a great idea they're joining but let's not try and make them run before they can walk, wasn't that what they did with Crusaders. They should be allowed to grow and build at their pace.

Crusaders were League 1 Champions in 2007 and Championship runners-up (after extra time) in 2008.

Very, very cold (could be minus 20 plus windchill) and usually lots of snow. As I look out my front window, still no leaves on the trees and buds are just starting. Spring hasn't officially started yet. But July and August can be 90 degrees plus. Teams that come here early in the season will freeze to death and those that come late on will burn.

From a Canadian perspective, I have to say that's a great logo - just right for this market. The only question in my mind is whether games against Rochdale and Gloucestershire All-Golds is really going to grip the imagination. Still, 99% of people in Canada will never have heard of Wigan (lucky them) or Saints or Warrington either, so perhaps it won't matter much. I could easily see them being in the Top 10 supported sides in the British game by the end of next season. Not that hard at all if they replicate the great crowds they have had for the international games (even against semi-amateur opposition. They are very marketing savvy and have a good social media presence and contacts to build on. I hope they can find room for a few home-grown players. Enoch Wamalwa is a young hard-running second row/prop that I'd like to see given a chance.

Toronto v hull could be well attended seeing as there is a hull close to ottawa

For all those moaning about travel times

Quick Google search

Manchester to Toronto direct 7hrs 45min

Super 15s clubs for example

Sydney to Johannesburg 14hrs 30 mins

Guess we shouldn't moan too much lol

"no thought for the fans" is one of my favourites from the luddites this evening.

Being ready for Super League is about a lot more than just on field results.

There seems to be a belief amongst some that every RL fan has a god-given right to be able to make every game and be home in time for the antiques roadshow.

Read a suggestion elsewhere that perhaps two SL teams could go over and have a game in Toronto. Would mean one team willing to sacrifice a home fixture but could possibly have a double header at Toronto's ground with their match on beforehand. Could be something worth trying.

This is mint. I hope Saints draw them away in the challenge cup. I havent been yet but it will already be my favourite away game

Regards

King |James

wigan the best bet then

I don't see how that would be of any benefit at all. People in Canada have not heard of Wigan and St Helens any more than they have heard of Hemel or Keighley. If SL teams were doing that then they would be better off playing in Vancouver TBH, where there is arguably a stronger grassroots RL base than Toronto.