Warrington to Paris ~350 miles

Perpignan to Paris ~ 500 miles

So, whilst the intension is that it would 'benefit' the French side, they actually have to travel further.

Well that's the logic of the RFL......... perhaps

Bog mistake to play it anywhere but northern England IMO. In recent years, the emphasis has been on full stadiums and that seems the best way. I'll personally never forget the atmosphere for last seasons semi, which for me was the best in nearly 40 years of watching the Wire.

If being drawn out first got you "home" advantage in a Cup semi then the game would simply be played on your home ground. That has absolutely nothing to do with it.

If we draw Leeds I expect it to be in Huddersfield despite that being geographically closer to Leeds because it's also less than an hour from Warrington and will suit both teams fine. It's the obvious choice irrespective of who comes out the hat first.

I agree with those above who say the semi involving Catalans should be played in either Barcelona or within close proximity to their opponents. A completely neutral venue like London or Paris would simply ensure an embarrassingly low crowd. Barcelona or Leigh (if it's us or Saints) or Huddersfield if it's Leeds would all attract a five figure crowd. London or Paris would not.

Sending thousands of RL fans across the channel in peak holiday season with the potential for french port workers striking, the ash cloud, BA striking, school holiday prices is something that is just what the RFL would thrive on

Not sure I want Catalan now !!

Just like RL fans thrive on negativity and parochialism.

What a ridiculously ignorant argument to make. Nobody wanted them to enter SL? Didn't the SL clubs have a vote on it? Go on ask me who I'd prefer in the league, Widnes or Catalan. I'd tell you Catalan every single time. Why on earth would we need yet another SL club within a 30-mile-ish radius of another 4 SL clubs and that's not including Leigh, Oldham, Swinton.... Plus Crusaders now they've moved to North Wales. To be honest I'd rather have a Cumbrian side over Widnes in th next round of franchise licenses.

I hardly think the RFL are considering a semi final in France/Barcelona as a "punishment". An attitude like yours is the reason our game will die eventually if we don't expand and try new things. We should be applauding the RFL for thinking outside the box and trying to bring new fans to the sport. If we keep this insular Lancashire/Yorkshire attitude our sport will die. Yes it would be an inconveiniance(sp) for us to travel abroad for a semi and it would undoubtedly reduce the amount of Wire fans making the trip but Catalan fans love their rugby down there and why should they have to travel for every single cup game? Their last semi-final appearance was in the NW, why should they not have their turn nearer to home this time round?

End of story

Wherever it is, london, paris, yorkshire, i'm going

we all obv aint got your sort of money if its in england then ill be going but i am not traveling abroad and most wire fans wont either

Not much worse than the 7k for a quarter-final yesterday. And that was with a home side and opponents only an hour down the motorway.

I still would go with The Stoop for Catalan even after hearing all these arguments, maybe a chance for London to see a decent crowd for 2 SL teams

Same

Only because you live in London.