As I posted on page 1 , the Op is correct , but what he suggests is highly unlikely , so if more clubs isn't doable , then more players should be the next option , but that will only happen if the relevant people decide to make it happen

It is a fact they would be 2/3 years behind their cohort. If it worked, or had a decent chance of working why would we be going to the bother of starting their cohort at 15 if there wasnt much difference to starting at 18? What are we wasting all that money at youth team and scholarship level for?

If you accept it is too late for most, why choose such an inefficient process?

This is why it would take a whole of game approach. They would need to invest in the French clubs U18's system, bring that up a few notches and then have SL scouting going on at those games.

You're right of course but, the big question is how to expand the game successfully without destroying the root's.
There have been numerous attempts to plant new teams into traditionally non-RL areas and tbf, most of these have failed.
IMO the game can only grow by grass roots development + time and we seem to always strive for a quick fix.
It does appear that there is a good chance of adding a further French team sometime soon and this will certainly help their National team but,
how would you suggest we expand ?

I'm sure you'll provide us with a better option in due course

that would make sense to me.

Develop the French players whilst developing the French game whilst leaving Dragons as a flagship to bridge to International level.

I agree about the grass roots. I don't think we should have put Crusaders in straight away. It nearly killed RL in South Wales doing so. At least it ended up boosting RL in North Wales though.

The fact is though, there are the grass roots in France. There are semi pro sides in France. But they don't have a good enough outlet for their potential in that league. I'd pick one side every few years and add them to SL with a view to growing TV deals in France to sit alongside the Sky deal.

And for those saying if there were 4 teams they should go back to their own league, I question their logic. A four team league? Really?
If that's not the idea, it would literally be like demoting 4 English SL clubs to Championship 1. It'd basically kill them off!

So you'd leave the Dragons, a successful side, in SL on their own, but not follow up that model?

If some clubs owner's get there way Super league will be reduced to ten teams, so if we bring in four French teams, that would mean firstly reduce to ten, we loose four teams, then we bring in four French teams and get rid of another four teams, instead of having thirteen British teams in Super League, we end up with five British teams in Super League, so the French get stronger and British Rugby league gets decimated at the top level, it sounds like a well thought out plan, bring on the Aussies..

But wasn't the reason Catalans are a success is because it's always been a RL heartland, places like Toulose aren't. Outside of that heartland very few grassroots exist and without them we'd be asking for trouble imo.

Agree, RL has got to be in the schools and amateur clubs and then build from there, otherwise history will repeat itself.

Or not

When you can provide a proper argument, and not a convoluted strawman argument, then you will be worth arguing with.

How is Toulouse not a rugby league heartland but Perpignan (pre the SL announcement) is?

What is wrong with the argument, its what people are going on about on hear, they want a reduction in super league, and bring in 4 French teams you do the maths, or don't they add up, we need more British players not less if we go down to 12 or 10 as some want what happens with all the young lads coming through, they ether go to the lower divisions or to RU. would you be happy if you team was at risk of being demoted, for a French team to come in i don't think so, its all hypothetical it wont happen,these not enough French players for one team let alone four, all the talk about there is not enough players for 14 teams in SL, its poor & needs sorting out, all clubs should bring player through the system, i now my team do & its time others do the same including yours,
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