Quote: Wellsy13 "You are right, it is not a justification. But it does put it into perspective and stops you being able to single them out.
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They do? Not disputing this, but I haven't seen any evidence that they get exemptions on players that other clubs do not. Perhaps you could show us this? Or are you just assuming?
You keep saying "from a whole country" like it's some kind of valid argument. In reality, it's not "from a whole country". The number of players in France is tiny compared to the UK. They do not have the benefits of being able to get academy cast-offs from other fully professional clubs 10 minutes down the road. They have to produce all of their own full time pro players. Whilst there are a few players at French Elite clubs that could with a bit of work become decent SL players, they still need a few years investment.
Again, it not being a justification, but how many English players in the 1, 6, 7 and 9 positions have Hull KR produced? Or some of the other lower-end SL clubs? You can't just single them out, and basing it on a whole country is just a poor attempt at tipping the argument in your favour. In reality, they have a small region to work with just like any other SL club.'"
Why should someone refering to HKR stop me pointing out the dearth of quality french players? only 8 French born players versus Huddersfield is poor IMO. And clubs like HKR / wakey having 10 at times does not change that.
If you want to check out the French salary cap as SLE for it. You will get it in Euros, it has been consistently a couple of hundred thousand pounds higher than UK clubs. HTH.
Where do I
keep saying from a whole country? Inside your head?
The academy 'cast off' argument cuts both ways. Several SL clubs have the same catchment area and compete for players. In France one SL club has no such competition. loads of RL clubs in their region and plenty of RU academy cast offs (if you think getting cast offs is important).
Your fixatation with HKR is duly noted. But Hull as a city has produced some very talented halves and hookers in the last few years from fewer players than you have in the south of France.
I am not trying to 'tip arguments in my favour'. I think 8 frenchmen versus Huddersfield is very poor in terms of developing french RL talent. There appears to be no more French players appearing now than when the dragons entered SL, there are still virtually no high quality french ball players [the best there is has been shoved onto the wing].
If people think only 8/9 French players making the Dragons team is good for the french game so be it. I disagree.