To apply for SL , in the RL press today , I can feel mr Lewis's shiny shoe in my groin again

We knew it was coming but I am still a bit shocked..

If this doesn't signal a clear intention to place Toulouse into SL then I don't know what is. They have been given other graces to make them competitive and give them every chance and if all else fails....

..just give it to them on a plate anyway. Surely everyone can see that this constant moving of goalposts is bad for the game and the lower league clubs have been spat in the face by the RFL this morning...

the RFL in shoddy treatment of Championship shocker!!!

Seriously, I didn't see this one coming......

Once again it just shows what a total embarrassment to the game the RFL are. There are many honest clubs, players and representatives out there but these idiots always seem to find their way into positions of power.

I recall Richard Lewis stating in an interview some time back that "a top 3 finish may be considered for a franchise application". Obviously so that his was covered in time for this 'revalation'....

www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/home/n ... p?id=11628 RFL press release, posted on their own website, at the time of Toulouse joining the Championship. Quote [iIt has also been agreed that in the event that Toulouse wish to make an application to compete in engage Super League in 2012, the clubs must satisfy the same on-field performance criteria as other Co-operative National League clubs and appear in a Grand Final in either 2009 or 2010[/i.'"

www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/home/n ... p?id=11628 RFL press release, posted on their own website, at the time of Toulouse joining the Championship. Quote [iIt has also been agreed that in the event that Toulouse wish to make an application to compete in engage Super League in 2012, the clubs must satisfy the same on-field performance criteria as other Co-operative National League clubs and appear in a Grand Final in either 2009 or 2010[/i.'"

Means nowt if it doesnt fir in with the Dickie Lewis' vision of the sport's future

not surprised at all, RFL make up the rules as go along.

What is the point of this sport any more ???

Why don't the RFL just cut out the matches and decide who wins the trophies at the start of the season ?

..but if you read the article, as far as Toulouse are concerned this ISN'T a rule change. They knew this all along!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hence why they finished in a relegation place last season, cos they couldn't (sorry), didn't need to be bothered

coming after the other weeks news of keeping same amount in SL and maybe one promoted.
wonder who they have in mind???

I have said before that if we dont get in next time then im finished with the game, if Toulouse do get in and Widnes dont then good riddance to Rugby League. I no longer wish to be involved with the sport.

Every now and again something like this comes along and leaves you feeling physically sick and slightly violent!!!!

Do you dick(head)lewis' address?

I'm going to read the paper before commenting, but this is pathetic from the RFL if true. I suppose they think if they get it out there early there'll be less complaints come announcement day.

I think we should take them to the high court.We should always have promotion and relegation.Rugby League will never take over from football or union so what planet are the rfl on.Catalans have too many aussies etc it be the same with toulouse.Our game wont improve at all,as the youngsters wont get the chance.They will go union.If our club went bust i would support union.

First of all i would start by boycotting Toulouse, i havent paid for flights yet and i dont see why anybody should be bothered attending.


To say im angry is a slight understatment.

I'm beyond getting angry to be honest. There's little point other than to accept that this sport is morally bankrupt and the RFL have their own agenda as to who they want in, no matter how many 'boxes' we tick.

We should just stick to concentrating on what SOC and his team are doing to ensure our submission s all over every other application from a great height, giving the RFL 'no excuse' not to let us in.

I agree with that, but there isnt a cat in hells chance that i will be going Toulouse this year.


This has completely put a downer on what was a good weekend and im off work this week. What a great start

I think the Catalans are a success, they have a similar number of Aussies as Bradford and Wigan, it's a problem in the game not with them specifically.

Anyway Tolouse in Super League would be too soon and probably weaken the Catalans as they fight over a limited playing pool.

What are the wordings in the article and in what paper?

This total of an announcement removes any glimmer of hope I had of seeing SL at Barrow. I think we are now lying in 4th position, possibly 5th. I also think Widnes are now 2nd in the running.

What p*sses me off is that so many people at the genuine clubs have spent so much money trying to 'Meet RFL Criterea' and then WALLOP Richard Lewis & Co kick them in the and and give dispensations to Tolouse in the name of expansion.

Good old RFL.

I don't see the point in anything in the Championship anymore. Everything is basically just a tin pot now and completely meaningless. Bragging rights is about all you get.

WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP !! I HAVE JUST ABOUT HAD MY FILL OF RUGBY LEAGUE !

Gutted for you guys.What the hell have you got to do,bend over and spread em?

Really hope you get the nod but gonna be difficult now

Looking at this from a slightly different angle i cant see the RFL just kicking one club out of Super league. How on earth they will come to a decision on just one is beyond me so that could leave 2 clubs on they way out. This then grants the RFL's wish of expansion by getting Toulouse in and getting a heartland club in with Widnes?

I understand what you are saying, but that is not the attitude to take if we want to get something done about this. If the national press want to use this as another negative take on our game, I will wholeheartedly support the negative press for a change.