What a ridiculously ignorant argument to make. Nobody wanted them to enter SL? Didn't the SL clubs have a vote on it? Go on ask me who I'd prefer in the league, Widnes or Catalan. I'd tell you Catalan every single time. Why on earth would we need yet another SL club within a 30-mile-ish radius of another 4 SL clubs and that's not including Leigh, Oldham, Swinton.... Plus Crusaders now they've moved to North Wales. To be honest I'd rather have a Cumbrian side over Widnes in th next round of franchise licenses.

I hardly think the RFL are considering a semi final in France/Barcelona as a "punishment". An attitude like yours is the reason our game will die eventually if we don't expand and try new things. We should be applauding the RFL for thinking outside the box and trying to bring new fans to the sport. If we keep this insular Lancashire/Yorkshire attitude our sport will die. Yes it would be an inconveiniance(sp) for us to travel abroad for a semi and it would undoubtedly reduce the amount of Wire fans making the trip but Catalan fans love their rugby down there and why should they have to travel for every single cup game? Their last semi-final appearance was in the NW, why should they not have their turn nearer to home this time round?

End of story

Wherever it is, london, paris, yorkshire, i'm going

we all obv aint got your sort of money

if its in england then ill be going but i am not traveling abroad and most wire fans wont either

Not much worse than the 7k for a quarter-final yesterday. And that was with a home side and opponents only an hour down the motorway.

I seriously don't think that the RFL will stage it in France though, as they will probably lose out on a lot of money due to a half empty stadium!!

i think we'll draw saints anyway and i think that should be at the Reebok as it's only 30ish miles from both towns and they could just open the bottom tiers and still get 16-1700 in, and it will look full on TV

I still would go with The Stoop for Catalan even after hearing all these arguments, maybe a chance for London to see a decent crowd for 2 SL teams

Same

Only because you live in London.

Playing the game there would attract at absolute most around 4000 Wire fans, and I think that's me being ambitious. Saints and Leeds would probablytake similar, if not even less in Saints case as they've experienced so many CC semis and finals recently. It could potentially be much less anyway as it's three hours away and like it or not many fans of the above three clubs will take the view of, "It's only Catalans so we'll be going back to London three weeks later and I'll save my money for that".

Catalans would take around 1000 at most, and again it could be much less.

Harlequins own attendances suggest to me there would be unlikely to be huge interest from nuetrals so we would probably be looking at an attendance of less than 5000. Barcelona, Leigh or Huddersfield would get double that so it's no brainer.

The only advantage The Stoop has is that it's a recognised Super League ground and the one most central to both teams but the disadvantages outweigh that solitary advantage.

If you want to play it "central" and the City of Paris has agreed to underwrite the fixture (I don't know if they have or not) then the RFL may consider that as it prevents them losing money while exploring an expansion opportunity but London offers no real attraction.

I agree. Last year's semi between us & Wigan @ Widnes was packed out & made a great specticle for TV

If Catalans are to play in Paris then whoever draws them, Coachmaster will be taking a coach.
Price will be about £50.00 per person
or Maybe an overnight stay for around £80.00 Per Person.

£50 can't argue with that.

Too right

No Semi to be played in Paris.
Just Heard from reliable source at RFL Venues Are: Hudds & Warrington or Widnes.

Not surprised.

Leeds vs whoever at Galpharm.

Wire vs St H or Catalans at Widnes

St H vs Catalans at Wire.

Thank god for that if your source is correct

How about Warrington v whoever at the HJ. As defending challenge cup holders

we should have that privilege. Alternatively Barcelona would be good after last seasons experience.

Hope you are right coachmaster.

I Hope i am wrong. I was planning a coach trip and stand to lose a few pennies if you get drawn against Leeds at Galpharm or anyone else at Stobart.

No thanks

Away game over a home match anyday

If we get Catalans, I reckon we'll play at Widnes. Saints, it'll be DW and Leeds, we'll play at Hudds.

I would imagine it'd be as much hassle for Catlans supporters to fly to Paris and public transport it to the ground as it would for them to fly to Manc/John Lennon.*


* Posted this before seeing Coachmaster's post. Sorry.

Widnes? Booorrrrriiiiiinnngggggg.

we could sit next to each other again

^_^ I prefer to stand

I for one, hope it is to be in Paris. A two-hour TGV ride compared with an all-day trek via Geneva involving numerous logistical unpleasentries. I know this is a selfish approach, but tough. I am great and I deserve a simplar journey for once!!! So come on the RFL look after me and sod everyone else!