hi Guys,
I was told that Toulouse might not even tender for a place in the New Franchise bid ??? is this true? has anyone got any info?

It was due last Thursday wasnt it?

Cheers
Dave

There are two lines of thought on this one

1 That the RFL can invite anybody outside England to apply

2 That even though Toulouse are outside England , because they are in the Championship , then Championship application criteria apply

To tell the truth , they are probably weaker now than they were in 2008 , their attendances have been declining on the back of 3 poor seasons on field , and the numbers of English fans travelling over has dropped from what I have been told

They'd be better back in the Elite 1 playing local derbies with local interest

not a chance. they have to be 'invited' or meet the on the field criteria anyway, neither of which was the case.

ok , so it is not possible to even submitt their proposal, unless the RFL ask on other grounds .

I believe so yes.

Carlos had a meeting in england last week with the powers that be,and he seemed in very confident mood so,let's wait and see what happens..........

Lets hope they dont get invited in!!!

Because.......

...........he is anti expansion and wants to see the further demise of the M62 game...

Hope so to, the french need a wider playing pool in order to compete at international level and TO will offer alot to Super League whilst complementing Catalan at the same time.

Sounds simple doesn't it



Toulouse in Champ should of helped a pathway to Catalan in SL not sure how much that has been the case? And vice versa. Seems a lot of players (including top ones) have gone back to the French league mind you!

because they were offered more money plus 'bonuses & perks' ,that's why !

it's not rocket science !

why did big Phil go to FCL ? to improve his french ?

I think it's time consideration is given to putting Toulouse back in to the French league - the Elite seems to be coming on leaps and bounds and TO seem to be getting left behind a bit (especially when Lezignan can pull in 7,000+ I believe yet TO have been struggling crowd-wise by all accounts). That isn't "flattercapper-ism" but in reality it would save the RFL a fortune in expenses and still allow the pathway through to the Catalans and national side.

Two SL teams in France is vital to the development there. Rivals spur each other on to be better than each other. The RFL should've given TO a license similar to the way they gave one to Catalans which would allow them a period in which to prepare for the top flight.

easy,just replace TO13 with FCL end of.

But maybe then the same thing will happen with FCL where they become maybe a bit isolated from the rest of the French clubs and playing pool? Love my trips to Toulouse and certainly wouldn't complain if they remained in the Championship, but I don't think the experiment has particularly worked in terms of the development of the French game.

They should submit an application - even if it is just to register their continuing interest and to show how they are progressing. At least keep themselves in the shop window still so that they can build towards their 2015 bid.

Erm, which is the point I'm trying to get at! Toulouse joining the Champ I presume was to help up the standard of French RL players towards SL, yet if they are getting better offers to join the French league what's the point of it? As Matt eludes too are TO being left behind?

Overall aim should be for French league to become it's own full time comp competing with SL effectively (would also naturally reduce O/S players as more sides to split between).

If the best French players not at Catalan are not joining TO then is the cost and desires progress in Chanpionship worth it for them?

Are France currently producing enough players to cover 80% of two SL squads? Rivalries are all well and good but doesn't mean more talent will cone through.

The French RFL need to think through their best cause of action as tbh this shouldn't be on RFL agenda. Access to SL yes maybe but not the development of RL in France. There's a great heartland in the South of France but someone needs to find the best way to develop it!

are England currently producing enough players to cover 80% of twelve? a look at the Wakefield and HKA squadlist says not.

just beat me to it !

Very true Smokey, but that again opens up the questioning as to why the league was extended to 14 teams.

Debateable but top Champ sides full of British talent too so not short in supply.

I'm not against TO in champ at all btw just questioning if it's in their best interests ATM.

I don't think Carlos is thinking short-term

he is expecting to be playing in SL in 2015 and isn't particularly worried ATM hence his strong desire not to spend too much money in big name players - why do you think Nathan Wynn & Mathieu Griffi went to FCL ?
The current RFL policy seems to be that horrible word 'expansion' so TO13 in SL in the future is almost guaranteed whether we like it or not.
I personally feel one club like Catalans who have passionate fans in the heartland is enough for SL with TO plus the LER clubs acting as feeder clubs.

The Leeds Rhinos squad list suggests the same.