Are alledged to be over the cap then where does this leave Catalans?! Or are we going with the motion that their French contingent are paid peanuts and thus these illustrious imports they have at their disposable can be backloaded vast amounts?

Some team this with SL's often talked about poor Salary Cap.

A few things to consider with the Catalan squad. Leon Pryce has previously stated the French players earn peanuts, the majority of their squad are French players.

Pat Richards, at 34 is unlikley to be on big money.

Jodie Broughton is unlikley to be on big money also, despite his 4 try heroics.

Todd Carney, expelled from the NRL, it was doubtful he could get a visa to play in England, Catalan may have been the only club he could play professional RL for.

Justin Horo. Who? Not the biggest name in SL is he.

Richie Myler, told he was no longer required by Warrington, how many clubs challenging for silverware were looking to sign a scrum half last year?

Willie Mason, the old timer, was signed very late and was unable to find another club willing to take him.

Dave Taylor, was going to sign for Salford until Tim Sheens pulled the plug, sending out a warning to all clubs about signing big Dave, this limited Taylor's options.

Inu was signed from rugby union not the NRL. Signing players returning from union is always a risk, he is unlikley to be on big money.

Does this mean warrington are now off the radar as 'salary cap cheats'?

Well, we know what Carney is on: "Todd Carney is seeking $2,357,039 in damages from Cronulla as details of previously unreported indiscretions emerge from his unfair dismissal action. Carney, whose case returns to the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on Friday, is currently playing for French club Catalans in the English Super League. The 29-year-old is seeking the full amount of his Sharks contract - plus interest and relocations fees - less the €504,000 ($741,294) deal he is on at the Dragons." www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... o6pcc.html

Well, we know what Carney is on: "Todd Carney is seeking $2,357,039 in damages from Cronulla as details of previously unreported indiscretions emerge from his unfair dismissal action. Carney, whose case returns to the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on Friday, is currently playing for French club Catalans in the English Super League. The 29-year-old is seeking the full amount of his Sharks contract - plus interest and relocations fees - less the €504,000 ($741,294) deal he is on at the Dragons." www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... o6pcc.html

It doesn't say if that is per year or for the duration of his contract, I expect it is the latter. How many years is his deal over?

Three.

I suppose with the nature of deals now, it's more accurate to use the figure for the duration of the contract, as some contracts might be front/backloaded.

Sky may have an anti-Catalans agenda (apart from screening all, their games?), but if the Dragons aren't 'everyone's favourite second team', they have nobody to blame but themselves, having been an ill-disciplined and charmless bunch of whingers for years now. That seems to be changing, on and off the field, which I welcome, but the Dragons can't expect to be popular overnight just cos they've won a few games.

i think the OP has a case of the green eyed monster

without proof its a wild accusation to throw around

I don't think it's an entirely wild allegation; I struggle to see how that squad fits under the cap too.

no proof though so it is an allegation

So you're prepared to retract that it was wild?

Whilst people are throwing around guesses, maybe the lower tax rate in France and the fact that its 10 degrees warmer in Perpignan right now than the North of England might have a bearing in all of this.