Yes, it is.

Thought you were leaving me to it?

There is I suppose one plausible argument against more French teams: that it hinders their ability to grow a successful domestic competition. I'm absolutely 50/50 on what I think re. that, but it has something in common with the question of what would happen to domestic Scottish football if Rangers and Celtic joined the EPL? Good or bad for the teams left behind?

The argument about French teams not bringing many supporters to England for their away games is just a load of rubbish.

Look at the NRL. How many supporters do Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and especially North Queensland bring to their away games in Sydney? Answer: not many. North Queensland in particular bring about as many as Catalans. But in Australia you don't hear Sydney people moaning about how awful the lack of traveling support is from these clubs, especially North Queensland. Nobody in Sydney is saying "let's get rid of Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and especially North Queensland."

Traveling support is a non issue in Australia, and it will be a non-issue in the UK, except in the minds of parochial people, (who perhaps deep down really don't like the French).

The games with Catalans were often the most entertaining matches of all last season

I've always said get the game strong at its roots before trying to expand with clubs built on sand. The Championships are a huge part of that.

What is it with away attendances? Was it a 'crappy home atmosphere' Leeds v Melbourne? How many Melbourne fans made the trip ?

If you don't want to/can't make the away trip so what? Nobody's twisting your arm.

This seasons Heineken Cup, Munster v Racing Metro, over 25,000 attended. I bet it wasn't a 'crappy home atmosphere'. Wonder how many Metro fans made the trip?

My own personal opinion is, that there should always a place for the local, for example,Wakefield v Castleford derbies. Tradition should always be cherished. But, who cares outside 'the heartlands' about those type of fixtures?

Creating 'events', like Leeds v Toulouse could generate greater interest in our game and it's up to the clubs to pack them in, not to rely on visiting support.

But then again, what do I know. Perhaps it's best to retreat to a few miles either side of a strip of Tarmac in the north of England

Oh aye, good comparison.The World Club Challenge or London/Catalans coming to town in a regular weekly round. Fact is, when they visit a lame atmosphere is almost guaranteed.


That's just greatThis seasons Heineken Cup, Munster v Racing Metro, over 25,000 attended. I bet it wasn't a 'crappy home atmosphere'. Wonder how many Metro fans made the trip?'"

If Toulouse can create a competitive SL team, then Leeds vs Toulouse will really pack them in -- both in Leeds and Toulouse.

Stick to worrying about RL fashion.

The RFL's Director of Operations, Ralph Rimmer, and Director of Standards and Licensing, Blake Solly, met with French Federation President Carlos Zalduendo on the past weekend, to discuss a number issues including the World Cup and Toulouse's appication for Super League.

On the World Cup preparations, the English delegation was told that 3500 seats had already been sold for the game France vs New Zealand in Avignon, eight months before the event! This is an amazing and unprecedented development.

Solly was quoted as saying, regarding the prospect of a 2nd French team in Super League:

" The impact should benefit our competition but also the development of rugby league in France. The integration of the Catalan Dragons in SL has created a new dynamic. The club is very well structured and the Catalans mobilise behind their team and in the last few months Bein Sport have started covering all their home matches live. I'm convinced that the SL and the French Federation are complementary. The arrival of a 2nd French team will be beneficial also to the French team".

Bravo Blake Solly!

"That's just great: f*ck the fans. Who is this sport FOR if not the fans? Don't be so ignorant."

Thanks for that. Just because I have a different opinion, I'm ignorant. The same ignorance I suppose that I've been demonstrating for over twenty years of playing and administrating Rugby League in 'expansion' areas. Suppose I should just pack it in then and leave you to it.

Most progressive sports push the international aspect of their game. I don't suppose that UEFA thought that hold on a minute we can't let Galatasaray into the Champions League it's a bit too far for those poor chaps from Manchester to travel.

Just my opinion, but that will probably lead to another rebuke from you. Think small, stay small.

There is not the player depth in Europe to merit a 14 team super league let alone getting up to 15 clubs. If another French team is brought in and we want a strong super league we will have to reduce the league to 12 clubs. 3 clubs will have to be cut.