Let's see what the result is next weekend against Featherstone. A positive result then, and it may well suggest a top 4 finish for Toulouse is likely.

And please stop bleating about missing players. This happens to all teams, all of the time.

In terms of being "red hot contenders" for a top four place, they're probably slight favourites to sneak in the 4th spot behind Leigh, Toronto and Fev.

Sparky, let's hope Fax can put something together and grab a top 4 spot with Leigh,Pack and Fev.

Really pleased for you Jean, it's nice to see your hopes for a more global competition are going to plan.

However, shouldn't the thread title read, Toulouse return to top form?

Unless of course you're referring to Toulouse-Lautrec.

It depends on whether you consider the noun "Toulouse" to be singular or plural. I assumed singular, you are suggesting plural. There is no definitive answer to the question as far as I am aware.

Barthau only scored one try.

Mediocre from Toulouse who didn't impress despite the very flattering score. Houles looked on this as a pre-season warm-up but must have been panicky with the scores close and a Swinton win not out of the question until the last ten minutes when TO13 woke up. It wasn't pretty but a win's a win. They will get tonked next week at Fev if they reproduce that dross. Swinton weren't great but the difference was Barthau. Last year TO13 would have lost this game without Ford but they hung on today thanks to Barthau. Robin was MOM by a mile.
Littler wasn't happy with the Swinton collapse at the end, the heads dropped which is unusual for such a talented team.

The match was quite an even affair up to the last 10 mins at 20-14. Good fight back from Swinton who were down 16-0 at one point. The loss of George Tyson opened the gates for the late flurry of tries.

Not a clear demolition as some put it.

Super League does need a 2nd French club to create a French Super League derby and that 2nd French will probably be Toulouse

Ah,but what if it's at the expense of Shuddersfeild at the end of the season in the middle 8s?

Or, to put it another way, one could argue that the French Elite Comp could need Catalans, to strengthen French RL.

A 14 team Super League should contain 2 French, 1 Canadian and the 11 best English teams.

You forgot all the American teams the other Canadian team that are all supposed to be joining.

And in my opinion your wrong. SL should contain the best 14 teams. Regardless of location.

Other American and Canadian teams will join in future years. The important thing is to get Toulouse and Toronto into Super League for next year.

Location matters. Most British people have never even heard of Leigh, let alone know where it is. Most British people know of Toronto and New York and know exactly where they are located. Leigh is a cultural and economic backwater with a tiny population and little if any corporate wealth. Toronto and New York are two of the world's great modern cities, with vibrant economies, great corporate wealth, and huge populations. They broaden the supporter and player base of the game. Leigh does nothing for either.

Having a suburb of Merseyside, namely Everton, in the Premier League contributes nothing to the growth of football in England. In fact it holds it back.

Having a suburb of Greater London, namely Chelsea, in the Premier League contributes nothing to the growth of football in England. In fact it holds it back.

Having a suburb of Greater London, namely Tottenham, in the Premier League contributes nothing to the growth of football in England. In fact it holds it back.

Do you want me to keep going?

Got to disagree. Toronto, Toulouse and Catalans need to be in Super League (and excempt from relegation if they were to ever end in that position) for the greater good of the game.