How will Toulouse playing in the National Leagues help the French or British games?

Toulouse will take part in National League One from the beginning of next year meaning there will be two French teams playing in the professional British Rugby League pyramid. Although no word has been spoken from the RFL, the official Toulouse Oympiquie website has in fact came out and said that the club will accept the RFL's invitation to play in a revamped 11 team competition with the first game to be played in March 2009 (supposedly after the Northern Rail Cup group stages are over).

This will see National League fans given the chance to experience what Super League has been doing for almost the past three years. What I think the RFL are missing is the fact this may not have the same impact as that of the Catalan experiment. Away fans are few and far between in the National Leagues with very few making the effort for fixtures on the other side of the pennines. How will they react when given the chance to go to the fourth largest city in France?

However, things may be different on the other side of the pitch. How will the attraction of playing in the second tier of British domestic Rugby League appeal to the Toulouse public? Will we see smaller versions of enthusiastic Catalan supporters, or will there be one man and his dog and the seventy year old die hard fan turn up for every home game?

But contrary to if Toulouse would have been in Super League, I can't see this side making as big of an impact to what the Catalan club has become. In fact Catalan have nothing to worry about gaining a new neighbour into the British system. They're in completely different leagues and should for the next three years be helping each other out as best they can.

“Licensing will help us to create great clubs whose athletes produce terrific contests, played out in modern facilities in front of large crowds”.

Well said Richard Lewis. That is what Super League should be. That is what licences will bring. Congratulations to the RFL for pulling it off. As we all know by now, the fourteen clubs have been announced and will participate in Super League next year. I think whether you like the announcement or not, the announcement was no real surprise. Celtic were favourites when the word ‘franchise’ was given a whole new meaning, and Salford will have promised the RFL a load of targets they will never hope to meet within the three years. The new stadium for example, will never be played in by 2010. A brick hasn’t been laid yet, and until that archaeological dig has finished there won’t be a brick in the ground, I would guess, until the beginning of next year. Therefore giving them twelve months to build it, inspect it and deem it safe enough to let two thousand people in. Let’s face it, twenty thousand is pushing the boat a bit. However, I would say their current stadium is better than Wakefield, Castleford and even Celtic’s.

So while Salford were favourites to join as soon as the applications went in, Celtic themselves caused much controversy and discussion amongst the fans as another expansionist club could possibly get into Super League, again. Were they needed? Should we have gone to Cumbria instead? Were Toulouse a worthier candidate? The answers being yes, yes and no. A Cumbrian side would have been nicer to have, but wouldn’t really be expanding. Rugby League has been played there since before Jesus’ time. There already is a fan base, albeit a small one, and the three clubs cannot create a successful application on their own. But, they seem to be reluctant to create a joint application which in my opinion would no doubt see a Cumbrian side in Super League instantly. Going further south, Toulouse’s inclusion would have seen an increased demand on supporter’s pockets. While Toulouse is probably cheaper and easier to get to, Catalan are established down there. So there is no need to take that away from the Perpignan locals who this season have seen sell out crowds and fantastic rugby league from their side. But back to Celtic, they have caused a burst of outcry from traditional heartland supporters, who see any move south of Sheffield as a step backwards. But its not just the traditionalists that a complaining. Sensible people are also wetting themselves on message board forums, radio phone ins and mid week magazine TV shows. They seem to think Widnes have been snubbed in place of Celtic, in similar vein Widnes were relegated to accommodate Catalan. The fact of the matter is, Celtic have the money, development according to their chief executive, and plans for a new stadium actually in Bridgend. Seeing as Wakefield, St Helens and Castleford are at a similar stage with their planning, there really was no reason to exclude them. As mentioned, Salford haven’t laid a brick yet.

As for Widnes’ exclusion, well it seemed pretty obvious to just about everyone except Widnes fans that their liquidation ten months ago is the reason they did not get in. Ten months is a long time, but in financial terms, its almost a millisecond. The club will have had to prove to themselves they are financially stable and that will be achieved in three years time. With the RFL coming out and saying today that if a National League club meets the qualifying criteria, they will be let in for the 2012 season. My only doubt is, how long will Steve O’Conner be hanging around now his club are stuck in the lower leagues? A year, maybe two? Will he even ride out the remainder of the season? Or will he do what the whole of rugby league pray he will do, and stick with the club until they get into Super League, and beyond?

As for Leigh however, their exclusion is more baffling than the rest. Why they were not even considered one of the favourites along with Widnes is a real mystery. They have the stadium and playing facilities, but with a rather cloudy financial record. However the main reason they were snubbed according to the RFL website, is due to player development being non existent. So basically, they have built their application on sand, and we all know what happens to people who build their houses on sand. So maybe their non-existence in Super League is a good thing. Either way, they really should have been considered more likely favourites than what they were.

So despite the sides in National League being tipped for time in the big league, there was the possibility that both Wakefield and Castleford would be dropped. However, this has not been the case. But why is this? While both clubs have poor stadiums, one is well managed financially and the other providing the competition with a wealth of talent in a prospering youth development system. This is without a shadow of a doubt the reasons no current Super League side was snubbed, as these two were the most likely to go. But, the RFL have stuck with the current crop hoping non of the existing twelve will be in a position where the governing body will have to decline any of these teams a place in Super League. However, there is concern that in 2011 (licence renewal date) one of these teams will not make the cut. But this will no doubt be down to lack of progression of a new stadium. As far as I know, Castleford have strong plans in place for a new stadium opposite the Xscape centre next to the M62 junction. Whereas Wakefield have very few plans in place (or at least not made them as public). This is a concern, but they have three years to sort themselves out.

So who was awarded what? What classification did each of the fourteen teams receive? Well, three clubs received A grade licences. These three come as no surprise as they are Hull FC, Leeds and Warrington. Bradford, St Helens and Wigan all got given B licence status, while the rest all got a C grade. I suppose Wigan were denied an A grade due to salary cap breaches, wheras Saints could have lost out on both salary cap and stadium standard. The same for Bradford.

So that’s it. The dust has settled from the eruption, now all fourteen teams will be looking forward to a new era in Super League history. An era that is more secure for any clubs long and short term planning. We await the new announcement in 2011.

Toulouse sont réjouis à la vie dans Super Ligue. Devrions-nous leur donner?

With the summer international only a mere five days away at the Stade Ernest Wallon, it seems the Toulouse Olympique Rugby XIII will use this opportunity to convince travelling supporters, and the RFL, that they are deserving of a Super League license. Having just visited Perpignan to watch Warrington get thrashed, it seems the Toulouse application is a popular band wagon among Rugby à Treize supporters. The picture at the top of this post is actually an advertisement that we saw in various parts of Perpignan and Canet. It more or less makes awareness of the application as opposed of convincing punters to hand over their hard earned Euros. But if Toulouse are granted a SL place on 22^nd July for next season, how would this affect away supporters numbers in Perpignan and Toulouse and what are the ramifications for the locals?

Perpignan is not exactly the easiest place to get to. Plane tickets are not cheap and even making your own way from a major airport, such as Toulouse or Barcelona, is adding to the cost of the trip. Therefore, if Toulouse were to get the “Oui” vote from Red Hall, it would mean supporters would spend less money going to the city, an easier and cheaper place to get to, rather than explore and take a risk with the cost of going to the coast. Therefore numbers would take a dive in Perpignan due to supporters having to travel abroad twice in one season. Even that isn’t easy for hard-up northern families. Therefore the economy there will suffer due to decreased tourists from previous years.

But Perpignan and Toulouse offer all supporters different experiences. Perpignan is an easy twenty minutes from Canet, the beach resort. Perpignan is also small enough to create an atmosphere in the centre of the town where everyone can meet each other within a ten minute walk. Toulouse is a huge city, which can provide more entertainment and places to socialise, but doesn’t give you a sense of an atmospheric environment. As well as that, the tiny matter of a group of a thousand or more rugby supporters will not affect the city of Toulouse as much as they would in Perpignan or Canet. However, those that prefer a city break have the option to go to Toulouse, while those in need of a place in the sun go to Perpignan and watch Catalans.

But more importantly, how does their application fair as opposed to what the consequences are? I don’t know. But rumour has it Boots ‘n’ All gave the application six points and a B license. I still don’t want them to get in just yet.

Super League Applications - winners and losers revealed.

The list of applicants for Super League XIV was finally announced on Tuesday. Nineteen clubs have applied for a license to participate in Super league next year including the current twelve. Six clubs have applied from the National Leagues while Toulouse Olympique have also forwarded their application. The full list is:

Bradford Bulls
Catalans Dragons
Castleford Tigers
Celtic Crusaders
Featherstone Rovers
Halifax RLFC
Huddersfield Giants
Harlequins RL
Hull FC
Hull KR
Leeds Rhinos
Leigh Centurions
Salford City Reds
St Helens
Toulouse Olympique
Warrington Wolves
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Widnes Vikings
Wigan Warriors

So who are definite candidates for Super League, and who will suffer disappointment in waiting three years before being allowed back in? Well I intend to find out by briefly running over each clubs chances based on the actual criteria outlined. For arguments sake, all clubs will be solvent, while other criteria may be based on guesswork such as estimating if a club has enough turnover or an average attendance.

Bradford – They have the capacity and most likely have the required 10,000 average attendance, which means they have the stadium operating at 40% capacity. But they fail on having a premier standard stadium as the majority of the ground is uncovered and standing. Financially, it was reported last year that the club were struggling and this showed in the fact they broke the salary cap during the 2006 season. But they have a firm junior development system in place and the first of many players are rolling onto the pitch. Sam Burgess is just one example. Therefore I predict Bradford making B grade status.

Catalan – Catalan should be set for a place in Super League. Their facilities and attendances achieve top marks; they also gain a bonus point for not being within 20 miles of any other club. This is despite being in the heartlands of French Rugby League. I imagine they are turning over £4m (or should it be Euros?) due to the amount of interest generated in Perpignan and the Catalan region. I am less knowledgeable on the club’s junior development, but they meet this criterion by already having enough French players already in their squad. They have not made a big contribution to the competition however, having only been in existence for two seasons previous to the current one and having not finished above ninth place in any if them. Therefore, I still expect Catalan to gain an A grade licence.

Castleford – Cas do not have the capacity, average attendance or stadium standard to gain any points in that department. They are operating at 40% capacity though. But despite that, the only other points they will earn is through junior development, sticking to the salary cap and being solvent. They are not making £4m, and have barely any contribution to the competition due to being relegated so many times in the past few years. Therefore, this gives them a C grade status.

Celtic – Difficult to judge because I have never been to their ground or seen any of the setup there. I hear the ground only has 1,000 capacity, so therefore the club would have to move. They gain an extra point due to being no more than twenty miles within another club as well as not being able to break the salary cap in their three year existence. I’m unsure of the junior development that currently exists down in the south of Wales, but all the news coming from the valleys is positive. As for it being good enough, thats a different matter. Therefore I expect Celtic to earn a C grade.

Featherstone – “No chance” is the phrase you are looking for. They may have youngsters coming through a limited academy system but I expect the club are pushing for a place in 2011 rather than getting their hopes up for next season. Although this application set up is a good idea for a club to see where they are currently and how they can expand for the future. Therefore they will earn a C grade status.

Halifax – See Featherstone. A half constructed main stand is never good for business and doesn’t show any professionalism within the club. Despite it not being the clubs fault though, it still is an eyesore and therefore lacks any possibility of The Shay becoming a premier standard arena. Therefore Halifax will earn a C grade.

Huddersfield – As I write this, I have just seen the Sky Sports report by Angela Powers on Boots ‘n’ All. While I no arguments in how the scoring of their application was made up and calculated, it shed some light onto how little support the club receives compared to the quality of their stadium. Apart from attendances, the club fared well having a good junior development, no breaches of salary cap and they are solvent at the very least. Therefore they should receive a grade B licence.

Harlequins – They will be one of the few sides to earn a SL place based on a C grade licence. While their stadium meets the criterion, their attendances certainty does not. I doubt they are making enough money for the £4m turnover, but there is reason to suggest they are solvent because of the relationship with their union counterparts. As well as that, their junior development is promising but I don’t think it reaches the right standard just yet. Therefore, as mentioned, they will get C grade status.

Hull FC – Apart from the pointless criterion of not having another club within a twenty mile radius (Hull would struggle with a twenty metre radius) they should earn top marks. The stadium is of quality standard, attendances are high and they surely are making enough money for a big turnover. Matt Dale can be seen as an example of junior development being bred at the club and their contribution to competition is highly valued. Therefore the west side of Hull should earn an A grade licence.

Hull KR – Their stadium does not meet the standards of premier facilities. It is not even 10,000 capacity (although building work is currently in place to sort that out), but their attendances are reasonably close to capacity. Their contribution to the comp is poor, with this season only being their second in SL. But at least they haven’t over spent on player salaries and their junior development is well established. Therefore Hull KR should get a C licence.

Leeds – Their stadium, I feel, does not meet the requirement for premier standard. They have one good stand which stands out like a sore thumb. But their capacity is high and the club are averaging well over 10,000. They haven’t broken the salary cap and are one of the biggest contributors to the competition. Therefore I think Leeds will earn a B licence.

Leigh – Of all those teams currently in National League One competing for licences, I firmly believe Leigh are the front runners and deserving of a licence. While attendances will be based in their current stadium, the facilities and stadia currently built are of a premier standard. It is open to debate whether to allow them in as they are not inside these facilities at the time of submitting their application. However, these remarks are being made by Salford and Widnes corners who will not have a premier stadium ready until 2010 and who have financial trouble respectively. However, i would give Leigh a B licence.

Salford – Have successfully got planning permission through a public enquiry for a new stadium next to The Trafford Centre shopping complex. However, this stadium will not be ready until 2010, 2011 at the latest. While their financial situation is fairly good and junior development fairly established, they lose points on their stadium and attendances. I wouldn’t say their contribution to competition was that good either having only made the top six once in the past three years. Therefore I would give Salford a C licence.

St Helens – Let us start with the positives. They have the junior development and contribution to competition already in the bag. They also have over 12,000 capacity stadium, averaging 10,000 on a regular basis and operating at 40% capacity. What they lack is a premier standard stadium, a turnover of £4m and a clean salary cap record. Therefore Saints will earn a B licence.

Toulouse – Little is known about the Toulouse application. They will have the geographical point but as for stadium and finances, I don’t know much about them. I doubt they will have an average of 10,000 and judging from their stadium when I saw the team beat Widnes in the 2006 Challenge Cup semi final, I doubt it holds 12,000 (but that is only from memory). I can see Toulouse earning a B licence though and another trip to France for the Super League faithful.

Warrington – It has been accounted well in the press that teams have submitted over 600 page documents for the RFL to work their way through. Widnes have reported sending a 2000 page document as well as a DVD. However, Warrington are one of only a few clubs that can send in a postcard through second class Royal Mail and still get in for 2009. Without being biased, the stadium is perfect, attendances are high, turnover is fantastic and players are being developed like there is no tomorrow. An A class all the way. In other words, A grade licence.

Wakefield – The stadium fails to hold 10,000 so therefore they cannot average that figure. Their finances are unsettling and I’m guessing they are just solvent. They have made little contribution to the competition but haven’t broke the salary cap and they have a decent junior set up. Therefore I would give them a C grade licence.

Widnes – Their stadium is established but still of a good standard, they regularly had good attendances in Super League but since their relegation I’m unsure of their gate figures. Their main reason for not getting a licence is their financial situation. While the club seem to have a new policy of letting supporters have their say and giving them an insight into how the club is run, their financial trouble at the end of last season will surely count against them. Their supporters will argue that the old rouges that lead the club into administration are now gone, but it hasn’t been twelve months since they left and the new owners must still be recovering the losses made beforehand. Therefore I would give Widnes a C licence.

Wigan – See Warrington and Hull FC. The only thing that will count against them is the salary cap breach and the 20 mile radium criterion. Added to Wigan’s application but not evaluated is the history the club hold. Super League without Wigan was once a possibility only a few seasons ago, but they bring so much to the competition because of their past. Therefore they will earn an A grance licence.

So that’s all nineteen clubs evaluated briefly, who will get the lucrative places? Well here lies the problem. The RFL have yet to announce if Super League will have fourteen or twelve clubs next year. There is a possibility it could have more but realistically and if the quality across the board is good enough, Super League will see fourteen team battle it out. So I’ve listed twelve teams who I believe will get in straight away. Then I have listed another two below them to make fourteen. After that, I have listed the remaining five teams in what I believe to be order of priority should the RFL include more than fifteen teams or more.

So in alphabetical order, the first twelve teams into Super League 2009 should be;

Bradford Bulls

Catalan Dragons

Huddersfield Giants

Harlequins RL

Hull FC

Hull KR

Leeds Rhinos

Leigh Centurions

Salford City Reds

St Helens

Warrington Wolves

Wigan Warriors

The next two teams, making what will no doubt be a fourteen team Super League XIV should be;

Celtic Crusaders

Widnes Vikings

Now the next five teams in priority of making Super League after the first fourteen teams.

Toulouse Olympique

Wakefield Wildcats

Castleford Tigers

Halifax RLFC

Featherstone Rovers

Please bear in mind this is what I feel should happen next year for good expansion as well as getting rid of clubs dragging the club down as a competition and as a sport. I feel going sown to the south of France again will put a burden on supporters to visit France twice and should be avoided. I also feel getting rid of Castleford and Wakefield is a necessity as their stadiums and finances don’t make pretty reading. As for Halifax and Featherstone, well they don’t come close but by applying they have seen what state their own house is in and should start to progress in correcting this. I look forward to their applications in 2011 and seeing how far they have come since.