Yes its confirmed in League Express today that Toulouse do not have to meet the same on fiedl criteria the rest of the championship have to do to gain entry to SL in 2012, this means even if they do not appear in this years GF they will be allowed to apply, this inspite of the RFL stating last year they would have to abide by the same rules as the rest of us, this should not really surprise anybody should it, but it doesn't make it right.

I think most of us knew this anyway, its them thats getting one of the next franchise, looks like Widnes could get shafted once more.

The most disturbing and damning part of that article is that.

1) The RFL stated at the beginning of their first Championship season, they were required to fulfill the same criteria as everyone else.

2) The RFL now state that is no longer the case, suggesting it was but they have now changed the rules

3) The statement from the French club that they actually knew from the beginning of their first Championship season that they did not have to meet the same criteria as everyone else.

So, they told the press and other Championship one thing, and the French team something completely different.

This is the final straw for me and hopefully the club chairmen, who read this article are spurred into action. Methinks its time for some national press coverage about the RFL, after all they normally fall over each other if its bad press for the sport. For once, this time I would whole heartedly agree with what should be damaging coverage. Arthur, if you are reading this, surely its time to act

I agree with all that mate.

Steve O'Connor has been playing nicely.. but surely after this there needs to be some collective demonstration by the Championship Chairmen.

From the sounds of things this wasn't put to any sort of a vote it was simply a rule change imposed by the RFL.

Agreed Demon. All the clubs in the championship may as well give up now, the season means nothing and the competition means nothing if this is true. We may as well let toulouse win every week - wouldnt be surprise dif this wasnt a new rule.

Something needs to be done now as this whole thing is getting embarassing - at least the RFL need sto be honest so we all know where we stand

As it states in the article, Toulouse don't think its a new rule, this was always the case as far as they were concerned.

[size=150RFL BOARD OUT[/size

Well, what a surprise!

Next week the RFL is due to announce that Toulouse will now get seven points for a try, four for a goal and three for a drop goal!

Opponents will only be allowed to field ten players, with a maximum of two substitutions and will only get two points per try and one for every fifth successful goal kick.

Furthermore, in view of Dewsbury's narrow defeat at Toulouse, after being forced to travel by bus, all future visiting teams to Toulouse will only be permitted to travel by push bike, or on foot.

Expansion at what price now?

We all need to write to newspapers,sky and take these idiots who are in charge to the high court.Wish i could get a gun and shoot them all.

I have never known a sport to have no promotion and relegation.Well if my team went out of existence i would never support another team.Probably go and watch union.

Lets all protest.

Unbelievable, but then again it is isnt it.

is anyone really surprised?
the clubs voted them in with a promise of a once a year 'jolly' and have got shafted, the 'other' Welsh team is next.

A shake up of the sport is needed now or it will go to the wall outside of SL, silly priced contracts must be done away with - yes I know a Rugby player only has a limited earning life but if there are no clubs for them to play for??? The club board reps must get together and sort out the RFL board, the FL must align themselves more with the amateur game and visa versa, ACT NOW or else semi pro RL will be a thing of the past.

For all of you who disagree answer this question --- Would the French RL allow our clubs into their league knowing that the same rules applied to our clubs were not the same as to the french clubs?

Doesn't matter whether we are surprised or not does it. Toulouse have unwittingly showed the RFL to be downright liars. Toulouse were voted into the Championship by the Championship clubs on the basis that they had to qualify to apply for SL like everyone else. Toulouse at the time knew otherwise but kept this from the clubs that voted them in. The vote should be null and void....kick them out now. They have not been unwitting participants in this deception, they knew what the clubs and press were told when they have admitted to knowing different. So Toulouse are not blameless.

Please all forget your jollies to Toulouse, as you will be funding a dishonest club. As for the RFL