IMG attend Catalans Dragons clash amid questions over French clubs' future

[josie andrews]

The Dragons, Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield winners, have some detractor.

IMG officials spent last weekend in Perpignan getting a feel for French rugby league. Key personnel from rugby league's new strategic partner were in attendance for the Dragons' clash with Leeds Rhinos and spent time with members of the club hierarchy.

The future of French clubs in the RFL league structure has been a big talking point since Catalans coach Steve McNamara hit out at Huddersfield Giants, alleging they had said in meetings with IMG that they brought nothing to the game. At the time, McNamara said: "There is talk this week of Huddersfield saying French teams give nothing to the game in talks with IMG and that French teams should not be in the Super League competition, which is an absolute disgrace.

What the Catalans have brought to this competition in 16, 17 seasons is on a par with what some of those clubs have brought in 100 years. It's a terrible attitude towards our game and one aspect of the disrespect their club has shown us over a number of times recently, their opinion and attitude towards expansion and French teams in the competition.

Catalans have enjoyed success in recent years, winning the Challenge Cup in 2019 and the League Leaders' Shield in 2021. They reached the Grand Final for the first time last season and finished fourth in Super League this term.

But it's fair to say there are naysayers, with some citing the lack of away supporters and commercial benefits having French clubs in Super League brings for the rest of the sport.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... h-24980247

[josie andrews]

Toulouse Olympique's participation agreement extended much to Championship clubs' frustration

The French club's agreement to play in the RFL's league structure was set to expire this year.

The RFL has angered a number of Championship clubs after extending Toulouse Olympique's participation agreement by one year. Rugby League Live can reveal that Toulouse's current agreement that allowed them to play in the RFL's league structure was set to expire at the end of the year. But it has been renewed by twelve months, meaning they will be granted entry to the second-tier next season following their relegation from Super League.

But this has frustrated a number of English-based clubs currently in the competition who have no desire to entertain Toulouse. As is the case in Super League, the French detractors cite a lack of away support and commercial benefits, plus their own costs involved in travelling to France.

Toulouse's relegation to the Championship has been confirmed but they have already stated they will continue to pay the cost of flights for their English opponents. It remains unclear whether Toulouse will receive a parachute payment, the RFL has been asked for comment.

For months, clubs have been discussing Toulouse's future in the competition should they be relegated, with many prepared to vote them out if given a say. However, they have now been informed by the governing body that they will be part of the structure next year, despite not being consulted.

Sources at the RFL say the decision to extend the licence is to allow IMG to work through their findings and make a considered decision on the future of French clubs in the game. The recent fan consultation survey released by rugby league's new strategic partner had a number of questions of the French game.

One Championship official who wished to remain anonymous said: "The RFL know if they had asked clubs for their opinion or given them a vote they would have been told to allow them to continue participating next season. We weren't given a chance to vote or even consulted and clubs are angry because they feel like this has all been done behind their back."

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... l-24979254

[Caboosegg]

It amuses me that Huddersfield have apperently tried to say catalan bring nothing

[josie andrews]

It amuses me that Huddersfield have apperently tried to say catalan bring nothing

Exactly!! 2 fans & 2 cowbells

[moto748]

It amuses me that Huddersfield have apperently tried to say catalan bring nothing

It's the way they tell 'em!

[fozzieskem]

But that cowbell adds so much to a game

[moto748]

Surely you remember the Neil Young classic, Cowbell In The Stand?

[jobo]

Surely you remember the Neil Young classic, Cowbell In The Stand?

Cowgirl. If Hud's had more of these, they might get better support.

[ian.birchall]

The Dragons, Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield winners, have some detractor.

IMG officials spent last weekend in Perpignan getting a feel for French rugby league. Key personnel from rugby league's new strategic partner were in attendance for the Dragons' clash with Leeds Rhinos and spent time with members of the club hierarchy.

The future of French clubs in the RFL league structure has been a big talking point since Catalans coach Steve McNamara hit out at Huddersfield Giants, alleging they had said in meetings with IMG that they brought nothing to the game. At the time, McNamara said: "There is talk this week of Huddersfield saying French teams give nothing to the game in talks with IMG and that French teams should not be in the Super League competition, which is an absolute disgrace.

What the Catalans have brought to this competition in 16, 17 seasons is on a par with what some of those clubs have brought in 100 years. It's a terrible attitude towards our game and one aspect of the disrespect their club has shown us over a number of times recently, their opinion and attitude towards expansion and French teams in the competition.

Catalans have enjoyed success in recent years, winning the Challenge Cup in 2019 and the League Leaders' Shield in 2021. They reached the Grand Final for the first time last season and finished fourth in Super League this term.

But it's fair to say there are naysayers, with some citing the lack of away supporters and commercial benefits having French clubs in Super League brings for the rest of the sport.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... h-24980247

The Giants and Ed Davey in particular seem to be forgetting that Cats play in Superleague without sharing the Sky TV money so that would be a £million less shared by the other 11 clubs if they were replaced by teams such as Featherstone. When I filled in the IMG online form on the Web I saw the interest in having 2 strong French sides in the 'European' Superleague.

[pedro]

The Dragons, Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield winners, have some detractor.

IMG officials spent last weekend in Perpignan getting a feel for French rugby league. Key personnel from rugby league's new strategic partner were in attendance for the Dragons' clash with Leeds Rhinos and spent time with members of the club hierarchy.

The future of French clubs in the RFL league structure has been a big talking point since Catalans coach Steve McNamara hit out at Huddersfield Giants, alleging they had said in meetings with IMG that they brought nothing to the game. At the time, McNamara said: "There is talk this week of Huddersfield saying French teams give nothing to the game in talks with IMG and that French teams should not be in the Super League competition, which is an absolute disgrace.

What the Catalans have brought to this competition in 16, 17 seasons is on a par with what some of those clubs have brought in 100 years. It's a terrible attitude towards our game and one aspect of the disrespect their club has shown us over a number of times recently, their opinion and attitude towards expansion and French teams in the competition.

Catalans have enjoyed success in recent years, winning the Challenge Cup in 2019 and the League Leaders' Shield in 2021. They reached the Grand Final for the first time last season and finished fourth in Super League this term.

But it's fair to say there are naysayers, with some citing the lack of away supporters and commercial benefits having French clubs in Super League brings for the rest of the sport.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... h-24980247

The Giants and Ed Davey in particular seem to be forgetting that Cats play in Superleague without sharing the Sky TV money so that would be a £million less shared by the other 11 clubs if they were replaced by teams such as Featherstone. When I filled in the IMG online form on the Web I saw the interest in having 2 strong French sides in the 'European' Superleague.

catalans get central funding I read the other week