A few travelling spectators travelling across the pond or wherever, hardly constitutes a strategy for expanding and developing the sport.
And, I also find it remarkable how a supporter of a team who have been spectacularly shafted and mis-managed over the years, and no longer play in the town, can in any way defend a pro-expansionist agenda.
If charity really does start at home, then one would expect the development of a strong competition over here, before offering an opportunity to others in a foreign land.
It really is that simple.
A few travelling spectators travelling across the pond or wherever, hardly constitutes a strategy for expanding and developing the sport. And, I also find it remarkable how a supporter of a team who have been spectacularly shafted and mis-managed over the years, and no longer play in the town, can in any way defend a pro-expansionist agenda. If charity really does start at home, then one would expect the development of a strong competition over here, before offering an opportunity to others in a foreign land. It really is that simple.
Shafted, and mis-managed we have been. I've said many times on here, that we only learned that Station Road had ben sold, after we'd played our last game there, which still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of those Lions who were around at the time, but...........
I remain an expansionist. There's been plenty of failures I openly admit, with Cardiff, Nottingham, and Paris to name but three. However, SL is thriving in in Perignan, as two Wembley appearances prove, and not far away, Olympique have genuine aspirations to be dining at the top table very soon.
As regards Wolfpack, were they not exempt from Sky money when they started, and self funded? I've mentioned previously that (in my opinion) Argyle bit off more than he could chew, but he created a new band of fans, most on whom had prob never even heard of RL until it dropped on their doorstep, and it's they (again in my opinion) who, along with the unpaid players, and creditors, have been shafted without a team to support, and lost forever to the game I love.
I 101% respect your views on the scenario, and you're not by any means, alone in that train of thought, but we'll just have to agree to disagree on this occasion.
Stay safe mate.
Spelly.
Looking at this now, it throws the championship fixtures in disarray. I know it is going to be percentage based, but not sure what the minimum number of fixtures to be completed are to qualify. Will championship be ruled as elite sport – my guess is yes, so it all depends on the french variation of that – France allowed the 6 nations but not club competitions so that probably means no. Toulouse could reverse a few fixtures and stay over here, but that would be a minimum of a month and as has been said part time players could not do that, we play them away on May 8th, think it is doubtful that french regulations will change by then, I think we will not play Toulouse this season in regular fixtures
With 90% of the league being semi-pro will this really be the case?
The football national leagues were classed as elite – I am sure they are not all fully professional
Super League, Championship and League 1 are all classified as elite sport.
It's hard to see how they'll get round this Toulouse situation. I can only think that maybe they'll postpone their first two games (April 2 + April 18) and hope that by the end of April, there has been some movement in the quarantine rules.
If only they'd have put Toulouse in Super League instead of Leigh, none of this would have been an issue.
Well it’s 70% of fixtures to be completed to qualify for playoffs. That’s 16 fixtures so you can miss a max of 6.
There will be an announcement next week on how this plays out for Toulouse
This will probably mean some teams do not play each other in the regular season - we will probably not play Toulouse as our match on May 8 is doubtful
And, just on a similar, but equally important subject, am I the only person who thinks that the Rugby League World Cup should be postponed until at least next year?
Coming so soon after the Toronto fiasco, the sport simply CANNOT afford another PR failure.
A World Cup without spectators (or a very limited number) is a recipe for disaster, and given the general uncertainty, the governing body simply cannot afford to play fast and loose with the games credibility.
Plenty of other big events have already been mothballed for 2021, so I cannot see any justification for continuing along this path.
Call it off now!!
And, just on a similar, but equally important subject, am I the only person who thinks that the Rugby League World Cup should be postponed until at least next year? Coming so soon after the Toronto fiasco, the sport simply CANNOT afford another PR failure. A World Cup without spectators (or a very limited number) is a recipe for disaster, and given the general uncertainty, the governing body simply cannot afford to play fast and loose with the games credibility. Plenty of other big events have already been mothballed for 2021, so I cannot see any justification for continuing along this path. Call it off now!!
Along with my mates, I have 27 (I think) games booked in the World Cup, including Newcastle on the opening afternoon, down to Hull in the evening, then back up to Geordieland on the Sunday, but.........
I would not argue if it was postponed for twelve months, if there was a better chance of filling the stadiums come 2022.
I love international football, but I'm more than willing to wait for a year, if the tournament can be staged in a manner befitting the game I also love.
Spelly.
The new announcement in my opinion throws Toulouse participation this year in doubt.
If they pull out will they have to start in League 1 next season ?
I don't think it does put their participation in doubt. Whilst it looks messy there is a plan put in place for them to continue.
When you weigh up all the parts it will be a difficult season for them with heavy finance involved, with a large risk of not making the playoffs
I’d think they would make the play offs. The table being decided by percentage wins rather than points combined with the quality of the squad compared to most teams makes it unlikely that they won’t.
Really depends on whether they can complete enough games and which games are postponed
have to say the RL approach of percentages is a far better way than the RFU way of giving equal points to both teams when games are cancelled
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
I would imagine (although I admit that I deffo don't know for certain) the answer is "No, not yet." Macron was on the telly the other day, announcing further lockdowns over there, lasting for at least three weeks. So I would imagine nowt will be decided before then.
Spelly.
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
I would imagine (although I admit that I deffo don’t know for certain) the answer is “No, not yet.” Macron was on the telly the other day, announcing further lockdowns over there, lasting for at least three weeks. So I would imagine nowt will be decided before then. Spelly.
Hmm what an absolute farce. If we couldn’t send a team over there due to Covid and isolating requirements then we should be given the points. If a home team can’t offer a safe match event or fulfil the fixture to its normal standard, then they shouldn’t be in the comp, period.
Spike - Would it be fair to penalise a team who were unable to fulfil / host a fixture because of rules / instructions that'd come from central government hundreds of miles away?
Spelly.