It's interesting to note that the French yawnyawn side attended the NRL grand final after asking for tickets on their arrival. Pretty unusual considering their governing body likes to deny that RL even exists.
The Super League club will surely help the game in France, similar to the lift in standard in the game in NZ since the Warriors entered the competition, not only because it gives French players a full-time contract and a chance to play in a top competition, but it also puts them in the window for British and Australian clubs. The number of Kiwis playing in the NRL has probably trippled since the Warriors were born even though there is one less club now as there was in 1994. Hopefully we'll see the same sort of improvement in France, now all we need is the RFL to give UTC (or Toulouse?) the nod.
The French team has been probably the most busy at international level in the last 2 years, playing in the Med Cup x2, Victory Cup, Euro Cup (soon) and the Sevens as well as games against NZ, NZ A, BARLA and a 2 test tour of PNG in addition to their 'French Selection' against the Roos on Sunday. Shame it's not a full Test team.
Pretty good though, if only the big 3 would put this much effort into international footy.
