May I just congratulate Belgian xiii for his informed opinion, well thought out argument, and perspicacity on this thread. It's nice to see that some people have the development of the French game, the French National team, and therefore the development of competitive International Rugby in the Northern Hemisphere at their heart. Keep it up mate. And I thought that Tony Rea was in the frame as well, or has the lure of filthy lucre from the jeux a quinze brigade down under swayed him ? (Super 14 - seems like ordinary 14 to me when you see a full blooded League game, and there are many of them!)

Your taking the micheal.......

The appointment of Bobby Goulding could be considered a crime against humanity. I am prepared to lobby the Hague Tribunal on that (as I am sure will others such as the lawyer Smokey TA from rlfans.com), if M. Larrat is deranged enough to make such a preposterous appointment.

Merely reporting what I've read.

[url=http://www.lindependant.com/articles/2009/02/28/20090228-Sports-Goulding-un-Bleu-a-la-tete-des-Bleus.php5Oh dear god[/url.
After what he was saying about having a French team in Super League? After his nonsensical comments in the build up to [ithat[/i semi-final? Why oh why oh why....


Press conference at 13:00 CET, so I hope that's enough time to get Dave Ellis on the phone and change tack.

Sorry...

Well, that's France out of the 4Nations and back to international obscurity.

Blimey.

If only I'd have known what the competition was I'd have applied.

Give them a call, please. They may yet change their minds.

Blobby Goulding.

hope Doug Laughtons cars not around

Well quite. The man could start a fight in a phone box

Quote from BBC Sport:



The Penguin doesn't like it when people talk in the third person. It makes them sound like gimps.

Nice to see in that little diatribe there was actually no mention of, you know, making France a better team and all that. Seems he's taken the job purely to get up the noses of some people.

Prat.

Indeed. Only boxers can get away with it


Spot on once again. I mean - what could possibly go wrong?

Some early reaction in with the [url=http://www.sang-et-or.net/readarticle.php?article_id=496league previews[/url from earlier in the week, and more [url=http://www.sang-et-or.net/readarticle.php?article_id=498here[/url

Pretty much sums up my feelings on the whole situation. Ridiculous.

I dont really know how I feel about the situation, I'm trying to search for positives on the issue but struggling.

About best I can do is that Bobbie [ishould[/i create a backs against the wall mentality, which could be good for team spirit (lacking in the WC), and that Maxime Greseque will become a niggly little house.

courtesy of Cliff at TRL

Interview with Bobby Goulding in Press Dossier issued by FFR13:
Note reference to a third French team.

"Bobby GOULDING’s interview
What reasons motivated you to suggest your candidacy as head coach of the XIII de France?
I am confident in my ability to coach at the highest level and I am ready for a big challenge. I want to be the best, and there is no greater stage as the international one to show what I and my team can do.
How do you analyze the French failure during the World cup 2008?
No team spirit and individuals not performing. The success of Catalan influencing players performance (hard to raise their performance again).
What objects did you define for the coming years?
To assemble a unit of players who want to play for their country.
To combine the two younger age groups; 18‟s – 21‟s with the full international side for training / bonding sessions.
To send the sides into „camps‟ every six weeks for bonding sessions.
To ensure all groups work to the same structure in training and in games.
To be present at all training sessions with all three squads and be present at all international games that the three sides play.
To form a close relationship with Catalan Dragons and Toulouse, especially with their coaching staff. I aim to be present at training for these two clubs or other clubs at least once a week, to build relationships.
To be present at matches in France and in England as often as possible.
To encourage a brand of Rugby that brings people out to watch their national team and to be proud of them.
I will build relationships with Super League clubs to encourage young French talent to play at a high level.
In the next twelve months, I aim to get a third team in the British competition of National League 1 or 2 of a side consisting of all French under 21‟s (with 3 or 4 over age, all French). They will play at a competitive level and become better players in time for the next World Cup.
To get support staff in place i.e. assistant coach, strength, conditioning and skills coach, a team manager, someone speaking both French and English and 1 other coach.

What do you expect from your coming to France?
To coach a successful side of loyal players.
To improve the team and individuals and guide them to success.
To enjoy involvement in the great sport of Professional Rugby League at the
highest level.
To personally compete against the best, i.e. Australia and New Zealand.
Do you think some actual French players already deserve to be in the French team?
If a player is determined to show loyalty, commitment, desire and the skills to perform at the highest level, then the door will never close on them.
Two majors events will occur in 2009. The match between France and England and the Four Nations. How do you intend to get ready for these challenges?
The objects above (1 -11) will ensure a firm foundation to meet these challenges.

.....see Goulding indicated that he would like to add a deputy from England
to his FRXIII coaching team, hinted that he would be an ex captain of the GB team.

My guess is it's Hanley but fear he will be expensive. So can the Federation afford him?

From that interview there's a lot of wishes with no plan to make them reality.

A third French side in the Championship within 12 months? Pipe-dream surely.

But knowing Bobby it's as likely to Gary "I was a great laker, me" Schofield

Oh, don't.

Garry and Bobby, touring 'the schools around Catalan and Toulouse' looking for that one player who might make the difference. Heart warming thought, isn't it?

When asked about his thoughts on the appointment, RFL Chief Executive, Richard Lewis smiled, paused and then said "no comment!"

fills you with confidence eh?

At least he had the good grace not to burst out laughing.