The whole issue for me is that the RFL seems to think that either:
a) It cannot sell what it maintains is a "blue ribboned" and "protected" event to a wider market.
b) It is the responsibility of the clubs to sell the CC Final.

If it's the former, it's frankly pathetic to place that burden on the clubs and if it's the latter, then the clubs should be reaping the financial rewards from it.

The RFL cannot sit back and keep hoping that at least one of the finalists is one of the three clubs that could possibly get close to selling a 20,000+ ticket allocation.

If you are going to insist on bonds, the only fair way to do this is to insist that every club, from Super League down to the lowest rungs of the BARLA ladder, fronts up the same bond. If not, stop placing the burden for the cup's finances on expansion clubs that are "unfortunate" enough to be successful.

If you are going to insist that every club has to front up the same sort of bond, fine.

If it's the £500k that Catalans were allegedly threatened with, we'd be looking at a field of about 3 clubs...

Which highlights the sheer absurdity of the entire situation.

Absolutely.

Of course, the likes of Featherstone, York, Leigh, Bradford etc could also feel that playing less matches would enhance their chances too. I wonder if they would be allowed to pick and choose their competitions, in the same way?

none of those clubs are being asked to put up bonds to secure there place in the competition though are they.

I've no idea. Can't be ar$ed reading the rulebook but I doubt they could be forced to participate.
Just to be clear I'd much rather Toulouse were in as it's fairer on their promotion rivals. Snowie, to whom I originally replied, seemed to be suggesting that their withdrawal somehow made them a less credible promotion prospect when the opposite is true.

Don't like the bonds though. That too is an unfair situation.

Well done to Toulouse. Putting up a bond is ridiculous!

I agree that none of the clubs should be asked to put up bonds. That is discrimination - and those clubs might just be better supported at Wembley, than one or two of our UK clubs!

However, I do not believe that Toulouse would have been asked to put up a bond to play in the 1895 Cup, or at the Summer Bash. Not participating in those competitions could give them an advantage over UK clubs, in the Championship.

I very much doubt that bonds have been demanded this coming season due to the furore of last, even if they were I doubt Toulouse as a Championship club would have been asked.

Looking at the facts we know. Toulouse have decided not to enter the Challenge Cup, the 1895 Cup & the Summer Bash & have requested & been rewarded with a home game instead by the RFL.

So, TO13 avoid any travel to the U.K for the Summer Bash & now have an 'Extra' home game instead, saving money & gaining an unfair advantage on all other Championship clubs. TO13 also elect not to enter both the Challenge Cup & 1895 Cup & avoid travel & costs again.
By avoiding all 3 comps they avoid any potential injury & fatigue issues as well as any travel fatigue & costs while also gaining more recovery time between games & so on.

At what point of all this are the RFL in charge ?
TO13 it would seem make their requests/demands & the RFL just say "Yes" ! Is the RFL a conduit in guiding TO13 helpfully towards promotion by their action/inaction ???

I'll stop you there...

from
[urlhttps://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/50472532[/url

I agree that TOXIII do seem to be able to pick and choose, but the reality is that London v Toulouse would have added little to the bash weekend, whilst the comment about Catalan covering shortfalls would point to Toulouse making the semi-final or better would be a costly exercise.
I am hoping to catch up with our resident French Poster Jean at the French Double header and have arranged my trip home in 2020 to coincide with it especially

EDIT
[urlhttps://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/london-will-not-take-part-in-1895-cup-in-2020/[/url
Hmmm...it would seem that maybe London are confident of getting to the final of the challenge cup