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

Just because it is in League Express it does not mean it is true.

I expect a speedy rebuttal of this claim from Mr R Lewis he is known for his sagacity veracity and abilities and he will skillfully but this accusation to bed.

After the next franchising round I expect Crusaders to have gone bust and it is only right they be replaced by Toulouse. After all what could Chemical Vikings bring to the non competition they are a very unfashionable club.

Even if they finish bottom of this league Frank? I agree with everyone who says it is time for all clubs in the lower leagues to put on a show of strength and oust the current RFL board. I would now like to see us break away from them and see how quickly they come to the table.

..but it contains quotes from the RFL, they'll look even more stupid and crooked than they already do if they deny this

I know Des Johnston isn't particularly well received by other fans

, but I'm sure he'll already have been on the phone with his (and Barrow RL's) say. This really is the time to stand up and give our best shot to boot the Muppets at the RFL out for the sport.

I'm sure legally there must be something that can be done. In effect, clubs are tendering for a license and in such cases in industry, there has to be 100% level playing field.

Apparently, if you take any sort of legal action against the RFL you are suspended from all competitions while you take the action. Toulouse were voted in under false pretenses. This season looked like it was going to be the most competetive for years....now there doesn't seem much point does there

I personally wasn't going to Toulouse but if I was considering it after hearing this news no way. Boycot the trip & don't support it I say

We all need stand against that stupid rule as we wont get in anyway.They want expansion so why dont we break away from these lieing knobbers.

I agree that Visits to Toulouse should be boycotted by all rugby league fans. The criteria for a franchise application was clearly set out, presumably in English, for all to read. Has an error been made when the rules were translated into French, or were two sets of criteria produced, one for each side of the channel?

It is important that all the championship clubs form a united front and communicate their concerns to the RFL and the media.

It will be difficult for any club to put together a franchise application, as the crieria appear to be like shifting sands - likely to change at any minute.

The assessment of the franchise bids should be carried out by independent third party assessors.

Lost in Translation, now that would be a cracking RFL excuse

Do people really think that the Championship clubs will rock te boat?
some of them still have a hope of getting into SL - a slim one I know but still a hope - the rest could't care.

Its all a holiday conspiracy you can just see the RFL board taking it in turns to Jolly down to the South of France for a FORTNIGHT instead of a week as it is now.

At the risk of being hung, drawn and quartered, What have Toulouse done?

Nothing thats the point

Bit late to boycott now especially as it will be Toulouses' last season in the Championship and most of us who were going have already paid for our flights and hotels.

I am going to watch the team I support. I dislike franchising because I think it harms our professional game. I dislike Richard Lewis because he told lies which he knew were lies on TV when interviewed about the LSV. He knew his ordeal in front of camera would be over in 5 minutes so he brazened it out.

It is not Richard Lewis who is calling the shots though it is Sky.

We cannot breakaway because we cling to a forlorn hope that franchising will fail before Championship clubs go to the wall.

Super Dooper league ? With all due respect if franchising continues how many Championship clubs could ever get one ? Even before franchising Dewsbury qualified on merit and were refused. What does it matter.

I'll support the team I support and hope for the best.