Ireland v France

[Whatwhere]

3/4 full stadium (which holds a little over 72k. That'd translate to 54k.) between two teams not from the nation in which it was hosted. Opposed to maybe 150 in Tallaght. Sure buddy.

 

[Pommy]

Touch Judge: Andrew Pilkington (Spain)

although with a name like that....

I’m pretty sure he has played for Spain as well. Not sure how he qualifies, I found a twitter account that I guess is him and all the posts are in English.

 

[Foreign Legion]

I’m pretty sure he has played for Spain as well. Not sure how he qualifies.

He probably took a pill in Ibiza........

 

[Storm13]

I’ll admit, I absolute live and breath international rugby league, but I have very low desire to watch these games.

Having them played out of second tier stadiums, with half strength squads in front of a few people just does nothing for me.

I would wager one of the reasons that that year’s Championship has seen so small time is that it hasn’t been played in a while? If it were an annual event, outside of World Cup years - at least there would be some familiarity.

These four nations have been playing in these Euro Cup competitions for a long time now. It's how Wales and Scotland both qualified for the 4nations.

The problem for me is they share the home and away fixtures each time instead of a nation holding the entire tournament. France could put on a small but good tournament with Tv exposure with 10k + crowds, something that could be built on.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

These four nations have been playing in these Euro Cup competitions for a long time now. It's how Wales and Scotland both qualified for the 4nations.

The problem for me is they share the home and away fixtures each time instead of a nation holding the entire tournament. France could put on a small but good tournament with Tv exposure with 10k + crowds, something that could be built on.

No one would turn up to non-France games.

The "problem" is there is little to no rugby league culture apart from in France, and if you want to attract neutrals, you need to make an event out of it rather than just another run of the mill rugby league game with little to no significance.

 

[Storm13]

No one would turn up to non-France games.

The "problem" is there is little to no rugby league culture apart from in France, and if you want to attract neutrals, you need to make an event out of it rather than just another run of the mill rugby league game with little to no significance.

Double header matches.

France should be playing mid year test versus England then playing PNG in a three match series at the end of the year. Rotate home and away.

If I was in charge of the FFR I would be ditching the northern hemisphere teams. Be looking at the outcast Pacific teams.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

If I was in charge of the FFR I would be ditching the northern hemisphere teams. Be looking at the outcast Pacific teams.

they had png tour a while back, but it is just too hard to recoup costs.

 

[Storm13]

they had png tour a while back, but it is just too hard to recoup costs.

One thing I think we can all agree on is if the RLIF could actual do its job and set up a four year calendar cycle where nations can actualy plan to host or travel for tours, then surely a team like France would be able to put together a plan with its tv networks to get a southern team over to play.

With Australia's seemingly reluctance to play England, I'm starting to fear for the future of the game in Europe.

 

[deal.with.it]

You can’t play the whole tournament in France every year if you believe in domestic development.

 

[Storm13]

More support staff at the Ireland match than paying customers. How long do you persist when it seems progress is going backwards?

 

[Pommy]

One thing I think we can all agree on is if the RLIF could actual do its job and set up a four year calendar cycle where nations can actualy plan to host or travel for tours, then surely a team like France would be able to put together a plan with its tv networks to get a southern team over to play.

With Australia's seemingly reluctance to play England, I'm starting to fear for the future of the game in Europe.

Why would pacific teams want to play France over other pacific nations?
Did you watch the game against England? It was one of the most gutless performances of rugby league I have ever seen.

More support staff at the Ireland match than paying customers. How long do you persist when it seems progress is going backwards?

What’s the alternative Ireland never get home games? Just don’t bother at all?

 

[Irish-bulldog]

More support staff at the Ireland match than paying customers. How long do you persist when it seems progress is going backwards?

You need to play actual local Irish boys, you need to connect with the public with the message before the game starts. Why the hell would the Irish support a team full of English born players ?.

I keep saying people have short memories, how do you guys think union started ?, you need to build from the ground up, I think Europe is finally understanding they might have to suffer short term, it’s not about quick results with no grass roots. There hasn’t been any vision in Europe for a long time, I think the last World Cup highlighted major issues.

 

[RedVee]

In the telecast they said that win qualifies France for the 2021 RLWC.
This seems an awful long way out to be already qualified.

Whst happens in 2019? 2020?

 

[Pommy]

In the telecast they said that win qualifies France for the 2021 RLWC.
This seems an awful long way out to be already qualified.

Whst happens in 2019? 2020?

Well the two team that don’t qualify go in to the next round. Qualification doesn’t end here it just ends for those clubs.

 

[siv]

It is massive progress for the game that we are getting these matches televised and that the nations involved get to play tests in their home country.

I must ask though, what changed from a few seasons back when France were drawing 11k v Wales for euro cup matches and the tournament had Alitalia as a sponsor?

They were being played in France

 

[siv]

No one would turn up to non-France games.

The "problem" is there is little to no rugby league culture apart from in France, and if you want to attract neutrals, you need to make an event out of it rather than just another run of the mill rugby league game with little to no significance.

You start by giving away 5000 free tickers to the local schools and local teams. Invite all junior clubs in jersey to form a display at the ground. Not just one club. Allow a parents to get free entry. Give away a free footy or mini flag for the first 1000

 

[latingringo101]

So France are now officially in RLWC 2021. Seems to be year of the French (U/18s Euro Champions, Challenge Cup winners and now this).

 

[Foreign Legion]

So France are now officially in RLWC 2021. Seems to be year of the French (U/18s Euro Champions, Challenge Cup winners and now this).

All we need now is Casty for el-Presidentai

 

[miguel de cervantes]

I would be focusing more on improving exposure in places like Serbia, Ukraine, Czech Rep and Spain, just forgetting Ireland and Scotland. The union culture there is far too overbearing, you'll have much better bang for buck in the east, and more growth potential.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

They were being played in France

Yes I remember that - but France drew what, 2k against Wales last week?