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Toulouse Olympique head coach Sylvain Houles says the club should have been given three years in Super League after their relegation was all but confirmed.

A 52-6 defeat at Wigan Warriors on Friday night means Toulouse would have to win all three of their remaining matches, and either Warrington Wolves or Wakefield Trinity lose them all, to have a chance of survival.

Houles acknowledged his side were now “realistically” down, having recorded just five wins from 24 matches in their first ever Super League season.

And he expressed his frustration that the club were not given exemption from relegation – as Catalans Dragons had on their arrival in 2006 – to grow the game in France.

“Mathematically it’s still possible, but realistically we know that it’s going to be the end of our road in Super League for this season,” said Houles after the Wigan defeat.

“It’s a tough deal to come up from Championship at the last moment, and for us even more, not knowing how Super League works, what you need. It’s a very tricky situation.

“With us and our project and France having the World Cup in 2025, and our long-term vision, we should have been given three years to make sure that we build the French game and the vision of getting a TV deal. It’s a real shame.”

Toulouse and Catalans will hope to demonstrate the potential of the sport south of the Channel when they meet in Super League’s second French derby on Thursday at Stade Ernest Wallon.

Olympique then finish their campaign with away trips to Hull FC and St Helens.

https://www.totalrl.com/we-should-have- ... exemption/

And he expressed his frustration that the club were not given exemption from relegation – as Catalans Dragons had on their arrival in 2006 – to grow the game in France.

It’s a tough deal to come up from Championship at the last moment, and for us even more, not knowing how Super League works, what you need. It’s a very tricky situation.

“With us and our project and France having the World Cup in 2025, and our long-term vision, we should have been given three years to make sure that we build the French game and the vision of getting a TV deal. It’s a real shame.”

I think this myself. As he says the World Cup is in France next time

Clearly they should have been given time and maybe three years. Its very clear the governing body of our rugby league have mismanaged this once again. They simply struggle running our sport. What I have seen is some of the people should clearly not be involved in the running of our game.

I agree too. I was saying last night, it doesn't sit well with me at all. They should be given the same chance as Catalans. It's so typical of the RFL and SL; if they are serious about expanding the sport, two French teams is a good idea. Develop a real rivalry, make their fixtures consecutive as much as possible so travelling fans have the option of a week's break in France, it's all good. But no, they are half-assed about it. As for "not fair on Leigh, Fev, etc", well, it was unfair when Cats got the advantage. And overall, would two French sides offer more to the game than Leigh or Fev or whoever? Frankly, my answer is yes.

From what ive watched of Toulouse this season, they have been one of the best teams to be relegated over the years. Wakefield managing to scrape enough to keep up again it seems.

Was there a plan for 3 teams to be relegated this season of next or did i just imagine this?

it has been stated quite a few times though that the league needs a major overhaul.

maybe give the newly promoted team a 1 season immunity and like-wise give the team that finishes top of the league an automatic grand final appearance.

Maybe not 3 years but every team coming up should geta year leeway.

Better yet ditch relegation as it has not worked once and does nothing but destroy the finances of the club to go down.

why give them 3 and not Leigh? both came up with no time to prepare

pedro wrote: ↑Sun Aug 21, 2022 4:47 pm why give them 3 and not Leigh? both came up with no time to prepare

To help to expand our game. France is waiting to be tapped into.

Who knows, maybe help the game move through Europe?

Wigan Watcher wrote: ↑Sun Aug 21, 2022 5:35 pm

pedro wrote: ↑Sun Aug 21, 2022 4:47 pm why give them 3 and not Leigh? both came up with no time to prepare

To help to expand our game. France is waiting to be tapped into.

Who knows, maybe help the game move through Europe?

so only foreign teams get the exemption? just bring back licensing and then its all fair, if the French game was ready to be tapped into it should have its own fully pro league, thats expansion

pedro wrote: ↑Mon Aug 22, 2022 8:01 am

Wigan Watcher wrote: ↑Sun Aug 21, 2022 5:35 pm

pedro wrote: ↑Sun Aug 21, 2022 4:47 pm why give them 3 and not Leigh? both came up with no time to prepare

To help to expand our game. France is waiting to be tapped into.

Who knows, maybe help the game move through Europe?

so only foreign teams get the exemption? just bring back licensing and then its all fair, if the French game was ready to be tapped into it should have its own fully pro league, thats expansion

I’ve said the same thing!