Toulouse join League One.......

[DaveO]

If I was being cynical I'd say it was a fix to get them in SL next time around for the franchises.

Why? Well they get to use 5 overseas players for a time and so the notion they can only apply for a franchise if they reach a NL1 GF may sound fair but not when they have 5 overseas players helping them to do so next season (compared to other sides 1 or 2, can't remember).

It's obvious they see this as a stepping stone to a SL franchise. They applied this time and so must see this as the best way forward to further that aim.

I think the other clubs in NL1 will see it as a bit if a fix as well.

One other negative is that about the day after the franchise results were announced the RFL sent an press release out detailing how the loss of two NL1 teams to SL would be handled in terms of NL1 and NL2 structure.

It was very sensible resulting in two leagues with an even number of teams in each based on a well worked formula for promotion and relegation that looked completely fair.

It had obviously been worked out properly.

Less than a week later the notion of offering a French team drops up.

That seems very odd to me. One week announce a well thought out league structure for the NL then the next screw it up by adding another team?

I am not anti-expansion by any means but I think we need to be a bit more cautious than this.

It's a fact Celtic getting a franchise will mean lower gates at the JJB than had Leigh got one. If we allow other remote clubs into the competitions the same applies and I think the RFL need to think about this.

In the past you could have said, well the older clubs have had 100 years to sort it out and have not but I don't think that applies now. Clubs are progressing at last so here's a thought - what would be better, a sport populated by clubs in the M62 corridor that were all playing out of grounds like Leigh's new home or one where we have Quins, Celtic, Toulouse, Les Cats and even an Irish side in the competition?

Dave

[Mike]

IWell they get to use 5 overseas players for a time and so the notion they can only apply for a franchise if they reach a NL1 GF may sound fair but not when they have 5 overseas players helping them to do so next season (compared to other sides 1 or 2, can't remember).

Based on the recent Rinaldi decision (I think it was him - I can't remember properly) aren't French trained players counted on the overseas quota? Actually that was frenchies playing for english clubs wasn't it? The addition of a french NL club make that ruling seem even more stupid.

The RFL tonight confirmed that there will be 11 NL1 clubs and 10 NL2. I don't really think that is a big issue - 10 home matches for each team instead of 9 makes extra reveneue for each club, even if one if not well spuported by away fans = extra revenue not less. Extra french players getting the chance to play at a higher level is also a good thing for the international game.

Personally, my concerns are that the RFL will once again support this for 1 year and then decide that it is costing them money and stop. The Catalans show that you have to persist with ideas for a few years to see if they will be sucessfull. I hope they have budgetted for 3 years of subsidies.

[Mike]

what would be better, a sport populated by clubs in the M62 corridor that were all playing out of grounds like Leigh's new home or one where we have Quins, Celtic, Toulouse, Les Cats and even an Irish side in the competition?

For me, the latter - plus Spartak Moscow, a german club a spanish club etc. Plus a thriving north american, south american, african and asian league setup. Unachievable - perhaps, unrealistic right now, definitely, but if you try to expand when you have the chance your chances of success go up infintely. The only other outcome if regional stagnation and maybe protected status as a museam sport for enthusiasts. :conf:

[DaveO]

IWell they get to use 5 overseas players for a time and so the notion they can only apply for a franchise if they reach a NL1 GF may sound fair but not when they have 5 overseas players helping them to do so next season (compared to other sides 1 or 2, can't remember).

Based on the recent Rinaldi decision (I think it was him - I can't remember properly) aren't French trained players counted on the overseas quota? Actually that was frenchies playing for english clubs wasn't it? The addition of a french NL club make that ruling seem even more stupid.

What I meant was that Toulouse will be allowed five Aussies and every other NL1 side one. In theory that could help them make a GF and if they do then they get to apply for a franchise. So IMO if they join the NL1 they have one overseas player like the rest of them by which we mean Aussies or Kiwis.

After one season that goes down to 2 overseas players when every other club has only one. Why? Well the RFL seem to think this is a fair level of quota players for Toulouse. That is what it said in the press release. Why is it fair they get more than any other NL1 side? The RFL do not say.

The RFL tonight confirmed that there will be 11 NL1 clubs and 10 NL2. I don't really think that is a big issue - 10 home matches for each team instead of 9 makes extra reveneue for each club, even if one if not well spuported by away fans = extra revenue not less. Extra french players getting the chance to play at a higher level is also a good thing for the international game.

And previously the RFL confirmed two leagues of 10 teams! The day after the franchises were dished out.

That is the issue I have. The announcement of two 10 team leagues looked planned and well thought out. Yet then a few days later they expand one league to 11 teams which looks very strange and not thought out. In fact it looks like some sort of indecision or someone overriding someone else.

Dave

[DaveO]

what would be better, a sport populated by clubs in the M62 corridor that were all playing out of grounds like Leigh's new home or one where we have Quins, Celtic, Toulouse, Les Cats and even an Irish side in the competition?

For me, the latter - plus Spartak Moscow, a german club a spanish club etc. Plus a thriving north american, south american, african and asian league setup. Unachievable - perhaps, unrealistic right now, definitely, but if you try to expand when you have the chance your chances of success go up infintely. The only other outcome if regional stagnation and maybe protected status as a museam sport for enthusiasts. :conf:

I think the ideal solution lies somewhere in-between.

I support the addition of Celtic even though I know Leigh would bring many more to the JJB. I think Celtic could be a big success, so that is why I do.

However whether we like it or not the games foundations are in the north of England. I think if you dilute the league too much too soon away from there then you risk leaving it up to "new" fans to support the game as a whole.

How many Fulham RL fans are there now?

Dave