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2018 Internationals

Messages
11,355
France v Kiwis


After Narbonne's refusal to host the match, the French Rugby League will certainly face New Zealand on November 17th at Mayol stadium in Toulon. The last details are still stalled but the Kiwis could face the Blues at Mayol where one of theirs, Sonny Bill Williams, sparked, XV, for years in jersey Toulon. The match against the Kiwis will be the last of a long series this autumn for the French team rugby league. The Blues will play three matches of the European Cup, qualifying competition for the next World Cup. Then they will face England in a test-match before defying, therefore, New Zealand in Toulon. Note that a disagreement between the French Rugby Union and the Narbonne City Council could not allow the holding of this match in the Aude at the Parc des Sports. It is a temple of rugby XV which should therefore host this meeting flagship for rugby league XIII tricolor. Confirmation is expected in the coming hours.
https://www.lindependant.fr/2018/06/25/rugby-a-xiii-un-france-nouvelle-zelande-a-toulon,4529907.php
 

Coastbloke

Bench
Messages
4,051
It's just nuts (but not surprising) that we still don't know for sure where the Kiwis v Kangaroos Test will be later this year nor do we know if Tonga will end up playing Australia.

In contrast this years Origin matches were on sale with venues confirmed last year. :rage:
 

hutch

First Grade
Messages
6,810
France v Kiwis


After Narbonne's refusal to host the match, the French Rugby League will certainly face New Zealand on November 17th at Mayol stadium in Toulon. The last details are still stalled but the Kiwis could face the Blues at Mayol where one of theirs, Sonny Bill Williams, sparked, XV, for years in jersey Toulon. The match against the Kiwis will be the last of a long series this autumn for the French team rugby league. The Blues will play three matches of the European Cup, qualifying competition for the next World Cup. Then they will face England in a test-match before defying, therefore, New Zealand in Toulon. Note that a disagreement between the French Rugby Union and the Narbonne City Council could not allow the holding of this match in the Aude at the Parc des Sports. It is a temple of rugby XV which should therefore host this meeting flagship for rugby league XIII tricolor. Confirmation is expected in the coming hours.
https://www.lindependant.fr/2018/06/25/rugby-a-xiii-un-france-nouvelle-zelande-a-toulon,4529907.php

French rugby union up to their usual grubby tricks I see. Scumbags!
 

hutch

First Grade
Messages
6,810
South Africa v Malta played on weekend, both teams mainly expats I think.

Ireland v Hungary being played very soon as well.
Is there an updated list of 2018 internationals?
 

adamkungl

Immortal
Messages
42,955
South Africa v Malta played on weekend, both teams mainly expats I think.

Ireland v Hungary being played very soon as well.
Is there an updated list of 2018 internationals?

The wikipedia article in the OP is pretty comprehensive.
 

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
5,276
Great to see that with each passing year we get more and more international activity. Hopefully some TV coverage of nations other than the big 3 starts to happen. I can see the new Pacific Championship starting next year getting TV coverage - would be good for the European Cup to get the same.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
65,420
Shame the pathways for the French juniors gets more difficult the older they get.

Language is a big barrier for them To be picked up by SL teams at that age, hence why we need to get Toulouse at that level to create a second elite pathway and opportunity.

I also wonder if brexit will reduce the opportunity for young French players to move to SL teams.
 

deluded pom?

Coach
Messages
10,897
Language is a big barrier for them To be picked up by SL teams at that age, hence why we need to get Toulouse at that level to create a second elite pathway and opportunity.

I also wonder if brexit will reduce the opportunity for young French players to move to SL teams.
I suppose the criteria to obtain a work permit to get into the UK after Brexit will be based on the number of games played at the top domestic level or the number of times a player has played for France in their most recent internationals.
 

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,296
Language is a big barrier for them To be picked up by SL teams at that age, hence why we need to get Toulouse at that level to create a second elite pathway and opportunity.

I also wonder if brexit will reduce the opportunity for young French players to move to SL teams.

Is there anything stopping English club signing juniors and easing them in to a move across the channel by having them based mostly in France for the first year or 2?

Partnerships between Super League/Championship clubs and Elite clubs could work. English clubs could sign these juniors and initially have then train and play mostly at their partner club in France. The English club could have a say in their training, diet etc, provide English lessons while they are in France, then bring them over to train and/or play in England for a few weeks/months at a time. When/if these players are up to it move them over full time. Also not necessarily just English clubs, Toronto & even NRL clubs could do worse than keeping an eye on these games and making an offer.

Surely that would only help provide more professional pathways to help the bottleneck we see at Catalans that sees countless players never fulfilling their potential. Competition for talent can only be a good thing,there has to be a way to get these results at junior level to result in a competitive national team in 5-10 years.
 
Last edited:

deluded pom?

Coach
Messages
10,897
Is there anything stopping English club signing juniors and easing them in to a move across the channel by having them based mostly in France for the first year or 2?

Partnerships between Super League/Championship clubs and Elite clubs could work. English clubs could sign these juniors and initially have then train and play mostly at their partner club in France. The English club could have a say in their training, diet etc, provide English lessons while they are in France, then bring them over to train and/or play in England for a few weeks/months at a time. When/if these players are up to it move them over full time. Also not necessarily just English clubs, Toronto & even NRL clubs could do worse than keeping an eye on these games and making an offer.

Surely that would only help provide more professional pathways to help the bottleneck we see at Catalans that sees countless players never fulfilling their potential. Competition for talent can only be a good thing,there has to be a way to get these results at junior level to result in a competitive national team in 5-10 years.
That could be doable at the moment jim but things may well change after Brexit and the only French players granted a work permit might be established internationals.
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,546
Language is a big barrier for them To be picked up by SL teams at that age, hence why we need to get Toulouse at that level to create a second elite pathway and opportunity.

I also wonder if brexit will reduce the opportunity for young French players to move to SL teams.

Make the French RL a equal to the UK ESL
 
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