Agreed, but you would also have to question if France are any closer to the other three top nations than they were pre catalans? Maybe they just haven't fallen further behind?

I think this is it. RL is still exploding in Australia and New Zealand, and even England are getting back on track now imo. For France to not lose ground is a strong achievement in my eyes, if they gained that would be brilliant. But it is going to be a slow process, but a worthwhile long term aim nonetheless.

The French are no nearer now than when Catalan entered the competition & with their involvement in SL, they never will be.

So, do you think it’s impatient of me to wait Forty years for a series victory over the Aussies?

That’s what I want to see & the French experiment is not the answer to our inability to live with the Aussies.

I think you've missed the point totally. Catalan was a stimulus for the re-emergence of the game in France and although it's never going to be a national sport, France, once again is heading in the right direction

Maybe not impatient, but it's daft and a bit stupid, a trait too often displayed by RL fans, to decry a system or plan as not working and not worthwhile if it doesn't produce amazing, huge, game-changing, earth-shattering results within a couple of years.
This is Catalans 7th season in SL, less than that with an academy structure. Why would anyone assume that just one club could produce an entire national team capable of beating its bigger rival within just a few years? When England can't do it with ten times more teams with over a hundred years experience.

We are reaping the seeds sown 15/20/25 years ago by selfish and short sighted clubs and administrators. The lack of long term planning in the past is the reason why clubs are going bust now, the league isn't as strong as it should be, the amateur game is poorly run and poorly coached, the England team can't beat Australia, and no-one south of Sheffield or north of York (except Cumbria) has heard of rugby league.

I think it will take a few more years until the success of Catalans rubs off on the national team. There are more kids playing at junior level every year in France, the game was dead ten years ago there, now it's looking to expand and progress.

The French Catalans players are basically the best from what was left from the bad days in France. Some of the younger Catalans players like Eloi Pelissier, Julian Bousquet, Jason Baitieri & William Barthau are just starting to get into the Catalan team. I think Baitieri is top class already, and Pelissier & Barthau will be when they mature a little more.

Baitieri is from Sydney Roosters thats why (or someone like that). Hes not really a french product

Your team is not the best possible. You don't need 2nd rate Aussies like Chisolm. There are enough good French players.

Greenshields will return to Australia and will not play for France again.







Baiteiri --- a Catalans regular, not "just starting to get into the Catalans team" --- [iis French born and speaks French[/i, so he is very qualified.


The best French team at this moment isStacul

Vaccari, Duport, Baile, Cardace

Bosc
Barthau

Baiteiri
Elima, Mounis
Casty, Pelissier, Simon

InterchangeRinaldi, Fakir, Raguin, Griffi/Bemba


Escare and Bousquet should soon be qualified.

This team could possibly keep England to within 20 points (e.g. 30-16).


However if France is to be competitive it needs to have a second SL club in Toulouse in 2015 -- with one or two more French SL clubs to come in 2018 or 2021 -- so as to encourage and train more French youth to become professionals, and by this method increase the quality French player pool, as well as increase the interest among the French public and investors.

Don't forget now we have the TV support from Al Jazeera (Bein Sport) which means it is more attractive for the French businessman to support the rugby 13 teams.

you mean a bit like Rangi Chase from Wests Tigers & Illawara ?

or Widdup,Heighlington or Reed et al....

]

Greenshields wants to return to his family in Australia. So he may play for France this autumn, if selected, but only in this year because he is going home.

You are correct, I should not have written "qualified" concerning Bousquet and Escare. They are qualified by birth and training. I meant to say "prepared for international level."

Oh I'm well aware, I just meant that he wasn't a product of the french production system which seemed to be implied. He's as French as I am English but you couldn't hold him up as an example of the Catalans youth system

Clint does want to return and will play for France this autumn if fit and if Potter his good friend is appointed coach as I said - he has had some offers from the RL for next season with the Raiders being the favourite as it's only down the road from his parents - if he decides to play another season in the NRL he would then consider the 2013 World Cup, if fit

yes sorry JC, that's what I thought you must have meant about Escaré & Bousquet - I was just being pedantic, excuse-moi ! From what i've seen Escaré is ready for international RL - he's quick, skillful and just needs to beef up a bit and have a few games in the SL to play FB for his country - he's intelligent a quick learner so I can't see a problem

Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Your team is not the best possible. You don't need 2nd rate Aussies like Chisolm. There are enough good French players. Greenshields will return to Australia and will not play for France again. Baiteiri --- a Catalans regular, not "just starting to get into the Catalans team" --- [iis French born and speaks French[/i, so he is very qualified. The best French team at this moment isStacul Vaccari, Duport, Baile, Cardace Bosc Barthau Baiteiri Elima, Mounis Casty, Pelissier, Simon InterchangeRinaldi, Fakir, Raguin, Griffi/Bemba Escare and Bousquet should soon be qualified. This team could possibly keep England to within 20 points (e.g. 30-16). However if France is to be competitive it needs to have a second SL club in Toulouse in 2015 -- with one or two more French SL clubs to come in 2018 or 2021 -- so as to encourage and train more French youth to become professionals, and by this method increase the quality French player pool, as well as increase the interest among the French public and investors. Don't forget now we have the TV support from Al Jazeera (Bein Sport) which means it is more attractive for the French businessman to support the rugby 13 teams.'" Keep England within 20 points? You mean like the last time we played in October when it was 18-32? I just said I think Baitieri is top class already, you must have got the wrong end of the stick. And Damien Cardace, while a good prospect, isn't a patch on Pelo. This illustrates my point that in a few more years, Cardace, Pellisier and Barthau won't be as green and even more, better sourced and trained players will come through for France. I think a 5 Nations would improve all the teams. England v France is a test, RL is the fastest growing game in Wales, Ireland have got a decent side when you put it on paper. www.internationalrugbyleague.net ... -for-2013- Proper test rugby. Scotland can develop slowly. Grow rivalries over the years.

Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Your team is not the best possible. You don't need 2nd rate Aussies like Chisolm. There are enough good French players. Greenshields will return to Australia and will not play for France again. Baiteiri --- a Catalans regular, not "just starting to get into the Catalans team" --- [iis French born and speaks French[/i, so he is very qualified. The best French team at this moment isStacul Vaccari, Duport, Baile, Cardace Bosc Barthau Baiteiri Elima, Mounis Casty, Pelissier, Simon InterchangeRinaldi, Fakir, Raguin, Griffi/Bemba Escare and Bousquet should soon be qualified. This team could possibly keep England to within 20 points (e.g. 30-16). However if France is to be competitive it needs to have a second SL club in Toulouse in 2015 -- with one or two more French SL clubs to come in 2018 or 2021 -- so as to encourage and train more French youth to become professionals, and by this method increase the quality French player pool, as well as increase the interest among the French public and investors. Don't forget now we have the TV support from Al Jazeera (Bein Sport) which means it is more attractive for the French businessman to support the rugby 13 teams.'" Keep England within 20 points? You mean like the last time we played in October when it was 18-32? I just said I think Baitieri is top class already, you must have got the wrong end of the stick. And Damien Cardace, while a good prospect, isn't a patch on Pelo. This illustrates my point that in a few more years, Cardace, Pellisier and Barthau won't be as green and even more, better sourced and trained players will come through for France. I think a 5 Nations would improve all the teams. England v France is a test, RL is the fastest growing game in Wales, Ireland have got a decent side when you put it on paper. www.internationalrugbyleague.net ... -for-2013- Proper test rugby. Scotland can develop slowly. Grow rivalries over the years.

that's true enough of course Dico but the Catalans along with Toulouse are producing some good kids who will make it i'm sure

there is no magic solution to producing top class players in France - just work with the kids and hope a small percentage of them are good enough to make the grade
The set ups are different to the UK with everything on a much smaller scale in France so obviously a lot less quality players will come through the system, anyone expecting a really competitive french international team are in for a long wait....another french SL club will really help but it's only part of the solution IMO