French News

[Walter sobchak]

It's a shame that the Dragons produce quality talent but never get the chance to cement a spot. You have no name players come into the dragons side and get first picked. Players like Langi, Whitley, Kasiano, Tierney, Edwards and Smith are no better than what they can produce with local talent. Romano had an awesome step on the Warrington fullback and has played very well but he will get drop at the drop of a hat for Tierney. Goudemand and Jullien are two talented players that are struggling for game time currently.

This. I think Romano has played a total of 4 games in 3 seasons for the dragons which is disgraceful. No wonder the French National side hasn’t kicked on since the 10+ years of the Catalan dragons inclusion into super league.

Add to this the scrapping of the dragons u19’s side competing in the English academy league and it doesn’t paint a rosy picture for the French game.

 

[Irish-bulldog]

This. I think Romano has played a total of 4 games in 3 seasons for the dragons which is disgraceful. No wonder the French National side hasn’t kicked on since the 10+ years of the Catalan dragons inclusion into super league.

Add to this the scrapping of the dragons u19’s side competing in the English academy league and it doesn’t paint a rosy picture for the French game.

Why on earth did they scrap the 19’s ? What a disgraceful move ! Any chance of league poaching from French rugby Jnrs ? The ones who might be on the fringes?.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Why on earth did they scrap the 19’s ? What a disgraceful move ! Any chance of league poaching from French rugby Jnrs ? The ones who might be on the fringes?.

I honestly don’t know marra. Probably short term thinking and money more than likely. It was a real shame because the junior dragons not only competed well against the English sides but they regularly beat them. They even turned over the likes of Wigan, Warrington and Leeds.

They now compete against the village academy sides in elite1 which does nothing for nobody.

Im not to sure As for poaching young French union players. Union is massive in southern France and cashed up too.

 

[Irish-bulldog]

I wish France would get there shit together, well that’s goes for the northern hemisphere in general really, they are being left for dead at the moment by the Southern Hemisphere, gaps getting bigger.

 

[Walter sobchak]

I wish France would get there shit together, well that’s goes for the northern hemisphere in general really, they are being left for dead at the moment by the Southern Hemisphere, gaps getting bigger.

The people who “run” our game in the UK are absolutely clueless. I mean how hard is it and how obvious is it that England needs to be playing France in France every year in the height of summer and preferably around bastille day in order to give the French as much help as possible.

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/toulouse-confirm-groundshare-talks/

Toulouse Olympique are close to agreeing a deal to groundshare with rugby union side Stade Toulousain, as reported by Love Rugby League last month.

The 19,500-capacity Stade Ernest Wallon hosted the Championship clash between Toulouse and Toronto earlier this season, and would enabled Toulouse to meet the requirements of promotion to Super League.

Plans to re-develop their traditional home at the Stade des Minimes were sent in to turmoil by opposition to the plans, which halted renovations but not before the main stand had been demolished, leaving the capacity at less than 4,000.

It means talks to relocate to at least meet the short-term requirements of Super League have been underway over the past few months.

President Bernad Sarrazain said: “Our goal is promotion to Super League at the end of this year.

“Our ambition is to be one of the major clubs in the region, like Catalans Dragons are in Perpignan.

“We have to prepare for promotion and the future, and everything has to be ready today.

“We are nearing completion of an agreement to play all of our home games at Stade Ernest-Wallon from 2020.

“I take this opportunity to thank the President of Stade Toulousain, Didier Lacroix, for proposing the groundshare.

“We would like to build on this infrastructure to raise our level to a level excellence we’ve never had before.”

 

[Walter sobchak]

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/toulouse-confirm-groundshare-talks/

Toulouse Olympique are close to agreeing a deal to groundshare with rugby union side Stade Toulousain, as reported by Love Rugby League last month.

The 19,500-capacity Stade Ernest Wallon hosted the Championship clash between Toulouse and Toronto earlier this season, and would enabled Toulouse to meet the requirements of promotion to Super League.

Plans to re-develop their traditional home at the Stade des Minimes were sent in to turmoil by opposition to the plans, which halted renovations but not before the main stand had been demolished, leaving the capacity at less than 4,000.

It means talks to relocate to at least meet the short-term requirements of Super League have been underway over the past few months.

President Bernad Sarrazain said: “Our goal is promotion to Super League at the end of this year.

“Our ambition is to be one of the major clubs in the region, like Catalans Dragons are in Perpignan.

“We have to prepare for promotion and the future, and everything has to be ready today.

“We are nearing completion of an agreement to play all of our home games at Stade Ernest-Wallon from 2020.

“I take this opportunity to thank the President of Stade Toulousain, Didier Lacroix, for proposing the groundshare.

“We would like to build on this infrastructure to raise our level to a level excellence we’ve never had before.”

Super league will increase to 14 teams either for the 2020 season or 2021 season and Toronto and Toulouse will be part of those 14 teams.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Would really like to eventually see a 16 team super league with no more stupid looped fixtures and the magic weekend built into an actual super league round instead of it being an extra set of fixtures.

Would Also love to see a fulltime 16 team championship below super league with promotion.

 

[Storm13]

Super league will increase to 14 teams either for the 2020 season or 2021 season and Toronto and Toulouse will be part of those 14 teams.

Will it though?

Sky has a contract with Super League for 12 teams. And now it seems championship are looking for their own TV deal but they are tied to Sky until it expires. Not sure if Super League can actually get to 14 teams within this cycle of the Sky deal.

Feels very strongly that Catalan and Robert Elstone want a second french team in Super League, but you would have to think a broadcaster from France would be putting up some cash.

Also if Super League ever wants to see any American dollars, then Sky would need to own the rights to all fixtures so they can then sell it off?

It's all a little confusing how things will work in the near future.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Will it though?

Sky has a contract with Super League for 12 teams. And now it seems championship are looking for their own TV deal but they are tied to Sky until it expires. Not sure if Super League can actually get to 14 teams within this cycle of the Sky deal.

Feels very strongly that Catalan and Robert Elstone want a second french team in Super League, but you would have to think a broadcaster from France would be putting up some cash.

Also if Super League ever wants to see any American dollars, then Sky would need to own the rights to all fixtures so they can then sell it off?

It's all a little confusing how things will work in the near future.

I was under the impression that Toronto and Toulouse wouldn’t receive any sky money??

 

[Storm13]

I was under the impression that Toronto and Toulouse wouldn’t receive any sky money??

Think it's a short sighted view for Super League to let Toronto get their own TV deal (when in SL). They can fund themselves but where do the other clubs benefit from that?

I'm only speculating here. If it appears the Championship is looking for it's own deals then I wonder where a Toulouse feature in that and if relegation and promotion will be gone at the end of the current deal. If Toulouse are not in Super League would there be a point to still be in the Championship?

So many questions.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Think it's a short sighted view for Super League to let Toronto get their own TV deal (when in SL). They can fund themselves but where do the other clubs benefit from that?

I'm only speculating here. If it appears the Championship is looking for it's own deals then I wonder where a Toulouse feature in that and if relegation and promotion will be gone at the end of the current deal. If Toulouse are not in Super League would there be a point to still be in the Championship?

So many questions.

Toulouse want and need super league is the impression I get from the club owner.

 

[Storm13]

Toulouse want and need super league is the impression I get from the club owner.

Seems Bernard Guasch and Robert Elstone want a french derby, but is Elstone speaking on behalf of the other 11 clubs is yet to be decided. The ground share points to bigger things for Toulouse, but how do you shift the goal post at the end of the season to incorporate them into Super League?

 

[Walter sobchak]

Seems Bernard Guasch and Robert Elstone want a french derby, but is Elstone speaking on behalf of the other 11 clubs is yet to be decided. The ground share points to bigger things for Toulouse, but how do you shift the goal post at the end of the season to incorporate them into Super League?

Dangle the super league carrot in front of them for 2021. Gives Toulouse another 12 months to build and strengthen both on and off the pitch.

 

[Walter sobchak]

A strong and vibrant championship with a promotion route back to super league could cushion the blow of relegation from super league for Toulouse or even Catalan.

 

[Storm13]

A strong and vibrant championship with a promotion route back to super league could cushion the blow of relegation from super league for Toulouse or even Catalan.

But relegation and promotion could be axed in the next TV deal. Got to remember Super League wanted to scrap the middle 8's but came to a compromise with the RFL to still have one up and one down. Once this next tv deal is sorted with Super League I believe that it will be scrapped altogether.

 

[Walter sobchak]

But relegation and promotion could be axed in the next TV deal. Got to remember Super League wanted to scrap the middle 8's but came to a compromise with the RFL to still have one up and one down. Once this next tv deal is sorted with Super League I believe that it will be scrapped altogether.

Back to licensing?

 

[Foreign Legion]

Tony Gigot has turned down a new deal at the Catalans Dragons, report League Express.

The France international – who is off-contract at the end of the season – has knocked back a deal tabled by the Dragons earlier this month, according to League Express. It leaves his future with the Dragons up in the air as he enters the final months of his existing deal. Gigot was linked with a move to the NRL earlier this season, with reports suggesting North Queensland Cowboys were eying the full-back as a replacement for Ben Barba.
https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...race-for-hastings-1895-cup-financial-rewards/

 

[Coastbloke]

Pretty sure I also saw on FB some scores for Elite 1 and 2 finals. Nothing flash, just scores..

Guess it's a reflection on the general state of French league that it was just a list of scores on something like Everything RL and that's it. Hate to say it but sorta understand the RLIF not giving a shit about French RL because I don't think FRL gives a shit about FRL..

 

[Coastbloke]

OK, RLEF FB site has details..