According to Ralph Rimmer (RFL) who was speaking on the radio prior to the 9's comp last night, the Championship will remain 'as is' for 2012 with just a few 'tweaks'.
Crowds are down and clubs are only guaranteed 12 home games. This is clearly unsustainable. All clubs should be guaranteed at least 15 or 16 home games.
If another French club take the place of Toulouse next season, will they also get the 3 year 'protection' from relegation ?? This protection hasn't helped Toulouse in building a competititve Championship squad for the last 3 seasons.
2009 - 10th
2010 - 8th
2011 - 11th (so far)

Do they?

Your 'ideal world' being the SL by any chance ? most of the SL are struggling to survive,SKY money and all.So don't start talking about full-time pro leagues being the objective.There are not many european leagues in any sport which are not losing bucketfulls of dosh just to call themselves full-time professional FFS.
What's the point of french players playing in the SL or C/C1 ? They are needed in france if the LER is to get stronger.
Why Craig Cook ? well,he was named as hooker of the year in the 2010 Championship team which makes him a pretty decent player in my books.Whenhe first arived at Toulouse he looked great but slowly but surley the coach has dragged him down to a level which is totally unrecognisable to before.The coach,single handedly has destroyed the team & the club - thank you Gilles Dumas....Players like Craig,Josh Lewis,Ged Corcoran and Darren Nicholls are what any team who are looking to improve need to be signing.The overall level will soon improve if the coaching & training is right.
Leigh is the perfect example of how to turn things around on the field.

[sizeTHEN STAY IN FRANCE AND DO US ALL A FAVOUR !!![/size TOXIII are pathetic and do not do enlish teams that travel out there any good what so ever IMO.

blimey,wondered how long it would take you to put in your twopennies worth - yes,quite agree TO13 ARE pathetic and should stay in the LER until the powers that be decide the time is right for SL acceptance.It's best for the club,best for the RFL and best for narrow minded anti-expansionsts such as yourself.
Looking forward to the LER this autumn but will miss many of the good overseas players who will have jumped ship.Sad to see Tisseyre go to Union,he is a fine player and would have done well in the Championship içn the uk.Many other promising french youngsters also will ply their trade with other clubs like Kevin Larroyer plus of course some of the better aussies who deserve to play at a higher level IMO.

Hmmm....