And you are right to have a gripe with the RFL. The franchise system dampens the kudos/prestige/meaning of winning anything in Rugby League. So does the play-off system. So does the constant reconfiguring of the lower leagues. That's not to mention the 4 team promotion debacle this season.

The lower league teams generally need more games at a consistent level of competition (for gate money amongst other things). This deal where the winners get all of the prize money is also a bit daft to be honest.

All of this is partly the result of the expansionist regime (which I support in general). But teams like the Skolars, Welsh clubs, need something meaningful to play for on a regular basis and not fast tracking. At the moment they don't realistically have this because a 'traditional' club will win the lower leagues 9/10 (and apparently get all the prize money).

I'm sorry but the RFL hardly have a good track record as regards expansion etc. Gateshead and Sheffield for instance, the original clubs were asset stripped to shore up Hull sharks and Huddersfield, to their eternal credit both clubs reformed. Paris were first, when that didn't work Catalans came in,London broncos have had that many identities i can't even take them seriously . The sport is not in a good position, why try to expand ,when what you already have is struggling. There is only so much finance available at the moment, can't see the point in spreading it thinner on something that has been tried and is seemingly ,at the moment , unachievable .

I don't think Catalan are a good example. The team is propped up with Aussies and Kiwis. The smattering of French players in there has not helped to increase the standard of the French international side.

Surely Catalan would be better served playing in a stronger French elite league. France RL desperately needs a higher standard top league. Come to think of it so does the UK.

Good debate. Looking at the wreckage of tried and failed expansion clubs over the years, it's hard to make an argument in favour. Then of course there was Mansfield Marksman, Kent/Southend/Folkestone Invicta, Carlisle Border Raiders, Blackpool and Bridgend ( however, at least here there has been a spin-off of the North and South Wales teams). Expansion can work - the amateur game has proved that, but I believe, unless and until the game gets a foothold in schools, circumventing Rugby Union, we have little hope ( I don't see that happening any time soon). Better to make sure that we support and develop the teams we already have than to spread ourselves too thinly in my opinion.

On a separate point, as I've said before, 18 games in a season is too few. It does not allow you to gain momentum attendance-wise when there are yawning gaps in the schedules. Am so glad we have been promoted, as at least next season we will be getting another four home games which will help greatly and, of course, the added bonus of getting local derbies back! Good times. I'm still looking at this thread title and having to pinch myself!

the present Catalan side is represented in the french league with their reserve club (UTC) - the current Catalan Dragons squad contains 19 french qualified players who have played for the first team in the SL this season which isn't bad and hardly 'propped up with aussies and kiwis' as you suggest but I agree the international team hasn't progressed much and won't until another french SL team emerges and even then they will never compete with the likes of the England team with such a huge professional pool to choose from