FRENCH club Toulouse Olympique, currently experiencing a wave of media interest as a result of the BBC’s decision to televise their Challenge Cup match against Widnes next month, have confirmed their intention to re-apply for admission to Super League.
‘We have always thought that there should be two French clubs in Super League,’ said Toulouse Chairman Carlos Zalduendo.
‘It is in the interests of Super League and the development of the game that two French clubs should take part, so that you would have one team playing in France and another in England every weekend.
‘You only have to look at rugby union to see that the Heineken Cup generates far more interest than the French Championship because it’s an international event.
‘Once it became known that the BBC was going to broadcast our Challenge Cup match, we suddenly had big articles about us in the newspapers, and the Sport Plus cable TV channel has become interested in showing the game as well.’
Since Toulouse lost out to Perpignan in their bid to join Super League next season, the club once known as the Spacers has continued to work towards their aim of gaining a place in 2007 or 2008. On the financial front, the club has made progress in increasing its budget, while new headquarters have been opened and extra administrative staff have been recruited.
‘We have analysed the reasons why we weren’t selected for Super League, and we have made several reforms,’ said Zalduendo.
