Catalan V Warrington in Barcelona 20,000+ crowd

[The Clan]

It's been widely reported that the Catalan Dragons versus Warrington SL match to be played in Barcelona has already sold more than 15,000 tickets and the crowd is expected to exceed 20,000.

This is absolutely fantastic news for the game in Europe, with all the matches taking place in France, Italy, Wales and so on the game is really spreading. There is also a fantastic news coming out of Russia about the strengthening of the domestic game.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/19/adrian-morley-warrington-catalans-dragons

http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/2009/06/el-blog-day-one.html

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyle...Y_NAME=rleague/09/06/17/RUGBYL_Barcelona.html

 

[winnyason]

are you making a observation on russia or is there a news link good promotion in spain shame about result would have to say cats may not make finals.

 

[Evil Homer]

Catalans look like a side receiving next to no coaching at all. They have plenty of talent, but almost all their success seems to be coming off individuals and off-the-cuff plays. It is painfully obvious that Walters is out of his depth, he needs replacing ASAP.

 

[WireMan]

Don't be harsh on Walters, cats were playing the greatest team in World Rugby. He did well to keep it below 50!! :lol:

Seriously though, cats over performed last year, and as seen from the recent International, french rugby still has some way to go. However, the crowd numbers were fantastic, development looks good. This coupled with the Crusaders reserves on the other thread shows that Rugby is expanding in Europe and hopefully soon we will get meaningful internationals to help the sport grow further.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Aside from Murrayfield Magic was this the highest crowd in Super League this year to date? It must be close if not.

 

[Evil Homer]

No, there have been a few 20ks.

 

[winnyason]

Don't be harsh on Walters, cats were playing the greatest team in World Rugby. He did well to keep it below 50!! :lol:

Seriously though, cats over performed last year, and as seen from the recent International, french rugby still has some way to go. However, the crowd numbers were fantastic, development looks good. This coupled with the Crusaders reserves on the other thread shows that Rugby is expanding in Europe and hopefully soon we will get meaningful internationals to help the sport grow further

In all due respect can you honestly tell me hull kr, quins, wakey are better teams on paper than catalans, look on paper the recriutment of ryles, bell, bird(now in jail) should have strengthened team, but they have not adjusted to the new coaching style and to me kevvie chops and changes too much, this said this time next year i would be very surprised if they are not back in 8 just taking time to adjust and teams know what to expect.

This has to be the success story of expansion in sl, you would think renovations on there stadia will bring up averages as well. Compare them to the troubles quins and celtic have to get crowds. Only a matter of time till toulouse get in.

The national team will go ok as long as injuires don't happen lif not in trouble they just need about 5 more years.

 

[WireMan]

Rugby is played on grass, not paper!! Yes they have some good players, but there is everything else around the game that needs sorting. Training facilities, crowd numbers, travelling, etc.

Thats why i said they over performed. No-one saw that season coming. I'm not having a pop at them, just trying to defend there run this year. People are giving them more respect this year so there matches are harder.

This is the success story of expansion i agree. It always had the most going for it, because it is in a rugby league region (by politics). Therefore its not so much an expansion but more reclaiming. Yes Toulouse will have a team, poss at the expense of one of the current teams. A lot of interest in the game there.

Hopefully in a few years France will compete. Thats the whole point of expansion. The game needs a good fourth team.

 

[winnyason]

i see your point of view but they should not be placed 12th around 6th they should be that said a late run and they still may get into finals.
They need a stable halves pairing and centres this is must.

 

[WireMan]

On paper they should be better than they are.

This years competition is very strange. Anybody seems capable of beating anybody else. A late run could see anyone (bar Celtic) getting into the playoffs. Some of the teams in the top 8 look fragile (from 3 down!).

I was a bit dissapointed with the national team also. I know England are a better team, but the French got rolled over very easily. Maybe they are having a reaction to last year. Especially with a new coach etc.