Toulouse could be home and hosed!

[Cheezel]

I just received the World Cup news letter and i might be reading to much into the statement :shock:

"The Catalans Dragons are riding high in the English competition because many of the French players are getting used to playing in a high standard of Rugby League week in, week out," said Baitieri."

"The inclusion of a second French side in the Super League would strengthen the game in France and also make the national game more competitive as they would have a bigger pool of quality players to choose from."

 

[bartman]

Very true statement by Tas Baitieri. But whether that is at the forefront of the RFL's mind when deciding the current franchises is another matter...

Catalans have exceeded a lot of people's expectations and that's something that will lie in Toulouse's favour either now or in three years time.

 

[roughyedspud]

the key word is would strengthen SL....not will strengthen SL..

the lastest whispers i've heard about toulouse is they are going to miss out on a franchise but will be offered a place in national league 1...which they should take if they had any sense..

 

[bartman]

Wow, I'd never thought of the National League 1 entry point. That would be a great platform for Toulouse to then rise to SL status in three years... so long as the game at that level could afford all the the airfares!

 

[roughyedspud]

for national league teams to even qualify for the chance to go for a franchise in 2011 they have to have played in the national league grand final between now and 2011....

 

[dallymessenger]

I just received the World Cup news letter and i might be reading to much into the statement :shock:

"The Catalans Dragons are riding high in the English competition because many of the French players are getting used to playing in a high standard of Rugby League week in, week out," said Baitieri."

"The inclusion of a second French side in the Super League would strengthen the game in France and also make the national game more competitive as they would have a bigger pool of quality players to choose from."

nothing concrete in there.

hes like everyone that has certain clubs they want to see in, wishing for toulose.

tas baitieri is a great servant of the game and especially the international game and we should name a cup after him somewhere

 

[roughyedspud]

10 points to anyone who knows where the baiteri cup is played for.....

 

[dallymessenger]

10 points to anyone who knows where the baiteri cup is played for.....

so obviously i get zero!
:lol:

 

[Cheezel]

the key word is would strengthen SL....not will strengthen SL..

the lastest whispers i've heard about Toulouse is they are going to miss out on a franchise but will be offered a place in national league 1...which they should take if they had any sense..

National League one would be better then nothing at least it will give them more time to get ready for Super League. It would alo give the national leagues a bit more of a European flavour ;-)

 

[nadera78]

tas baitieri is a great servant of the game and especially the international game and we should name a cup after him somewhere

Tas is the main proponent of the "let them play for whoever they qualify for regardless of playing for a different country two days ago, and another one the week before that" theory that is doing our game so much damage at international level.

 

[bartman]

Came across their bid poster on the Toulouse website - if nothing else they've presumably been giving league a bit more publicity through having made a Super League bid.

 

[t-ba]

If them and Salford get in I'll be the SL equivalent of lotti...

 

[mtngry]

The more the ESL becomes the European Super league as opposed to teh English super league the happier I will be.. but is only emotional and ignores all the other requirements of candidature.

 

[Calixte]

Toulouse, Celtic Crusaders and Salford.

15 with a bye. Didn't hurt the NRL.

Others (likes of Widnes) to step up via National 1 possibly down the track...

3 areas with super potential (Salford's unrealised) for TGG. Would be a shame for one to miss out.

 

[bowes]

Toulouse are most definitely NOT in National League 1 next year, they have already confirmed the number of teams in NL1 and NL2 dependent on the number of French teams in SL, i.e. French teams that miss the cut will not play in the NL system, but there will be one less NL team.

There will be three teams promoted from NL2 to NL1 and the number of teams relegated from NL1 will equal the number of French teams in SL (i.e. British teams moved down the pyramid)

 

[bartman]

Thanks for that Bowes. So it's all or nothing with this SL bid for Toulouse as far as inclusion in a different competition for 2009.

Sounds like that will make next year:
SL = 14 teams
NL1 = 12
NL2 = 10 (12-3+1, assuming Toulouse not in SL)
or = 11 (12-3+2, if Toulouse make SL)?

 

[Evil Homer]

NL1 will have 10 teams. 2 are going into SL remember.

 

[bartman]

Ah yes, forgot about the potential "promotion" aspect of this announcement (and Celtic already being there in NL1).

 

[yakstorm]

10 points to anyone who knows where the baiteri cup is played for.....

http://norwest.tertiaryleague.com.au/history/baitierimcmartincup.php
Its played for between the Norwest Polecats and Cumberland Beavers in the NSW Tertiary League.

Anyway surely the RFL would see the benefits even from a sponsorship point of view of having another French club. Notice when GB took on France last year in the UK, Gillette didn't want a bar of the sponsorship (their GB sponsorship was already included), as soon as it was taken to Toulouse, they opened their cheque book and took the naming rights for the Test.

Whether its real or not, changing the perception that the sport is something just played in the north of England, will only help the growth of the code.

 

[bowes]

Thanks for that Bowes. So it's all or nothing with this SL bid for Toulouse as far as inclusion in a different competition for 2009.

Sounds like that will make next year:
SL = 14 teams
NL1 = 12
NL2 = 10 (12-3+1, assuming Toulouse not in SL)
or = 11 (12-3+2, if Toulouse make SL)?

Actually, I stand corrected on one point, if Toulouse get in SL then it is 1 down from NL1 and 2 promoted from NL2.

And fo course as already stated 10 in NL1