1) That’s not a surprise really given the money they have invested 2) the sad thing to me is I cannot go and watch Widnes at the stad Toulouse 3) I really enjoy Toulouse, so maybe next season I will go and sit in the home crowd to see them hammer the dire
1) I would suggest wisely invested.
2) Me too. Yesterday was our away game, and I'd have loved to have been over there, instead of at Heywood Road.
3) There's not much doubt they'll be going to Wire, but so far, it would appear unlikely, they'll have the LSV on their fixture list, although I'd much prefer it if they missed out on a visit to the Pinks! Biased moi?
Spelly.
I’ve seen ’em in the flesh twice recently, and I just can’t see TO XIII, not playing SL football next term. They put 70 past you a couple of weeks ago, and then yesterday registered only four less against us. We’re not (by far) the strongest opposition they’ll meet I agree, but apart from maybe Fev, I still don’t think anyone will trouble ’em. They have genuine quality right across the park, and in my opinion, deserve to dine at the top table. Spelly.
It was 24-18 at half time and Swinton were in it.
Once Toulouse got clear. It was full time professionals against smaller part time players.
I would be surprised if Toulouse did not finish top, very surprised if they did not finish in a top 2 probably with Featherstone.
But they can be beaten in a one off game. I would back probably the Toronto team that came up against them and they would finish at or very close to the bottom in Super League.
sorry spells, I meant go to Toulouse and watch them spank the wire sat with the Gauloise smoking locals !
I can defo recommend Toulouse mate, I've been four times with the Lions, and loved it!
We "centred" on a pub called "The Melting Point" bang in the city centre, but there's a shed load of places to eat and drink.
Their old ground out in Blagnac, wasn't up to much, but the new gaff looks pretty smart, and ready for the SL football that'll be played there next term.
Spelly.
Will Olympique play enough games to qualify for promotion?
According to Oldham's 'site, their game, and Thunder's too, are cancelled, so that's two more they're gonna miss out on.
Also, there's a(nother) rumour circulating that SL will be a fourteen team comp next term, so........
If it's true (has anybody out there heard similar?) would that mean promote two, and give (prob) Leythers a reprieve?
Spelly.
Cant see how SL will be a 14 team league with the reduction in Sky money.
According to the rules at the start of the season, although they could be subject to change at the drop of a hat, teams have to play 70% of their games to be allowed into the playoffs , which equates to playing 16 out of the 22 fixtures.
Not sure if they have missed any yet, the game against London wasn't their fault so will count as being played.
They should be OK as games cancelled due to quarantine restrictions do not count against the minimum number of games required to qualify for the play-offs.
I think the rumour regarding increasing the number of SL clubs in 2022 has come from the Leigh fans. They are speculating that the reason why Beaumont accepted the reduced funding going into SL this year and effectively has a Championship squad, is that he was given the nod that there will be no relegation in 2021. There is also a suggestion that players were still on Championship wages, which is causing an issue with some players.
I do wonder whether Beaumont made a calculated business gamble in going into SL on a reduced level of funding of £1m, which is substantially more that any funding they would have received in the Championship. Taking this into account plus anticipated increased income from sponsorship, season ticket sales and gate receipts and keeping running costs to a minimum, he may have seen it as a worthwhile business gamble. If they managed to escape relegation - and they still may with Salford struggling - he could then look to invest in players in 2022; and if relegated, presumably they would get a parachute payment and a good chance of winning promotion from the Championship in 2022.
According to the rules at the start of the season, although they could be subject to change at the drop of a hat, teams have to play 70% of their games to be allowed into the playoffs , which equates to playing 16 out of the 22 fixtures. Not sure if they have missed any yet, the game against London wasn’t their fault so will count as being played.
P8, W8 at present, so they're half way there, with "homes" with Oldham and Thunder already as no noes.
I fail to understand why the Oldham game couldn't have been switched to Bower Fold, unless there's a re-seeding job on there during the soccer club's close season.
Will travel restrictions ease after 19 July? We'll (hopefully) then be in un-lockdown, but we're talking about another country, where the rules will be different.
In my opinion, it'll be a shame if Oympique are not dining at the top table next term, but it's still far from a nailed on cert!
Spelly.
Super League is a poor competition anyway even with 12 teams.Not sure what adding another two also rans will achieve,apart from diluting the standard even more.
Super League is a poor competition anyway even with 12 teams.Not sure what adding another two also rans will achieve,apart from diluting the standard even more.
Agreed. I would advocate replacing (say) Leigh, with (say) Toulouse, thus leaving the top tier at the round dozen clubs.
Spelly.
I think smaller divisions all round would help, there are too many one-sided games and more even competition might promote improvement. Say, 4 divisions of 10 teams.
As said, SL cannot support 12 decent teams, there aren't enough good players.
Even in a 10-team SL, it will be dominated by the few clubs with wealthy backers. The key is a fairer distribution of central funding, with a unified management structure running the game. Not only is there a need for the RFL to promote and sell the game of rugby league and not just "super league", but individual clubs need to seriously consider whether they are doing enough to promote the game in their local communities. Can clubs with regular attendances of a few hundred at games and wholly reliant on central funding to survive, really expect to have a place in a professional or semi-professional game?
We should return to leagues where teams play each other home and away during the season - say 16 Premiership and up to 20 Championship. A reduced salary cap and limit on overseas players , with some flexibility to increase the cap based on season ticket sales and attendances and actions to promote the game locally.
According to the rules at the start of the season, although they could be subject to change at the drop of a hat, teams have to play 70% of their games to be allowed into the playoffs , which equates to playing 16 out of the 22 fixtures. Not sure if they have missed any yet, the game against London wasn’t their fault so will count as being played.
The RFL have said that any games postponed due to quarantine restrictions won't count against (e.g. if Toulouse have had 5 games postponed due to quarantine restrictions, then you can add 5 to their games played, which will take them past the threshold).
Why we need to bother with points percentage based on that, god only knows.
Toulouse will end up playing 13 games - they'll play each team once. That's why they played Widnes and Swinton over here. Then they've had the London forfeit. They'll finish top of the league with 14 wins from 14 games and then win the play-offs.
It's absolutely no use having a salary cap in Championship, given Toulouse are spending at least double everybody except Featherstone and maybe York.
Fev away next week for these guys, which is prob the toughest test they'll have all season, so who'll come out smiling?
I've seen 'em both twice this term, and from what I witnessed, I'm going for Houles' Heroes to sneak it.
Toulouse played (and stuffed) both your mob and mine at Heywood Road. We hosted Fev during lockdown, and whilst they comfortably beat us, it wasn't as convincing as what Olympique did to us. I also saw Rovers at Wembley, when they beat York.
As we all know, POR is a fortress, but I'm predicting the visitors by eight, but.....
With my position in the Prediction League, that should have Webster and Co feeling totally confident!
Spelly.
TO by a ton best team in this league by a country mile
Agree with that - they are actually in the wrong league. They should be in SL and Leigh should be in the Championship.