Doubt any of the heartland clubs are worried about Toulouse's inclusion, though ofcourse that depends on what sort of shenanighans go on in terms of loan/dual reg and "exceptions to the rules"!

In fact if I owned Oldham, York or any of those clubs, the travelling costs would be my biggest concern, though I guess they're a concern for Skolars, Hemel, Cov' and Souths too!

I wish you did own York. Anyone but the egotistical idiot currently in charge. Well anyone but him and Marwan.
If only travelling costs were York's biggest concern. Travelling to the likes of Coventry is probably cheaper than York playing at home at the moment.

Oh come on!

You know as well as I do the finances in RL are rock solid!

We were told do by " the esteemed leaders" that the SKY deal was the greatest thing ever and that everyone would benefit.

Why anyone should doubt this is beyond me!

Once again, what on earth are you on about?

This guy gets it!

*High five*

Really short sighted by the people at the RFL.

Toulouse are double the size than all clubs in lg1 and as big as some top champ clubs.

Yet by putting them in lg1 they will again see Toulouse be crippled by losing players to a decrease in the salary cap and travelling expenses.

Only way it would work is to do what Catalans were able to do and give them a SL place with a full time professional squad and a chance to find top sponsors and a TV deal to fund the club.

Good on Toulouse for giving a go again

I don't know, what is Toulouse' current wage bill? Can't see them spending £400,000 as is, so why would they be having a salary cut!

I find it weird that in 2006 the took a massive gamble to include Catalan into SL without any way of knowing how it would turn out. With no prior club from the south of France ever playing in English club rugby and the only other French club being a disaster.

Yet fast forward ten years they are only willing to let Toulouse into the third tier even with Catalan being nothing but a complete success story. And Toulouse arguably have everything you would think to even surpass Catalans successes

I'm sure the RFL doesn't think it ideal. In an ideal world, they'd go straight into the Championship. But imagine the cries of "queue-jumping" from English RL fans! Not least on here! I suppose the RFL is following the path of least resistance, and trying to keep everyone (more or less) sweet.

Yes, and that is what people with no leadership qualities would choose to do.

I guess London and Wales has dampened there enthusiasm for the wing and a prayer approach to expansion? I am pretty confident if Toulouse had an iron clad business plan, big corporate support, modern stadium and latent support worthy of SL and added value tot he SL TV money that they wouldn't have to jump through so many hoops. As none of us has any idea what they have or don't have in these areas I guess we have to trust the people that do know?

Hey.....

Why don't we take the top 5 from the French League, along with Catalans and the top six English Clubs???? and voila!!!!
Half the money going abroad!!
Half the jobs available for the English talent pool!!

Brilliant!!

You mean London the Challenge Cup Finalists and Super League runners up?

Even if only entered into League 1 if their recruitment was right they could be in SL within 3 years. While that would be quite a challenge this may be part of their thinking.