Quote ="William Eve"Are you seriously claiming that a return to a system of P&R next season is responsible for France being an international basket case? You agenda-driven Franchise Fairies just can't let your failed dogma go can you? Are you Martyn Sadler in disguise or just one of his gophers? You forgot to mention JEOPARDY! EBOLA! ISIS!
The introduction of a French team in Sooper Dooper League was supposed to lift the French national team yet their playing standards (and results) at international level have been worse than ever. Funnily enough, so have those of England or GB... ever since the switch to a bright new summer era funded by Sky's millions since the mid 1990's onwards.
Such is the profile and standing of this European Championship which the RLEF ([uTranslation[/u: RFL) have organised that it's nigh on impossible to discover official team listings alongside a match report for the game played in Dublin yesterday. I do remain confident however that tomorrow's edition of League Express shall post a positive glass half full match report about how Irish RL is flourishing alongside a four-figure attendance ending in two or three zeros.
Quite.
Beaten by a team consisting of lowly championship team players and a bunch of amateurs is about as pathetic as it gets. It's right up there in the embarrassment stakes alongside England's loss to Italy last year.'"
Calm down. I am saying that around 15-18 Catalans players were used in the World Cup squad last year and played to the QF. Catalans then started 2014 with five straight defeats. Relegation is now in place and Catalans' board have probably said enough is enough we want our best players fresh for next year - hence why Bosc, Escare, Duport, Mounis, Elima, Casty etc. have been withdrawn.
I am quite looking forward to see how the new competition format goes next year but it is what it is. Nearly all the top level French players are contracted to Catalans and they will look after themselves. To say French RL hasn't improved is also unfair. Kevin Laroyer, Theo Fages, Jamil Fakir, Michael Simon are just some of the players who will be at English clubs next year. A massive increase on that is what will make the difference. France now has around 20-30 full-time RL players. This was an increase on just 1 full-time player in 2006. This number needs to be at 70-80 to give them any kind of a chance. Toulouse is one option but more players going from France to English clubs is also a must.
Also, appointing Bobby Goulding and Richard Agar as coaches just about sums up the French Federation. At least Catalans had the nads to hire a French coach and stick with them.
