Barnacle Bill wrote:Ahh, so it won't be the rugby but the weather which pushes Les Catalans up the table then?
No, it will be the rugby and the weather combined. The Frenchmen are used to the hot weather, and the Aussies, who play in the mild winter of Australia, train in the hot Australian summer and can handle it.
The English and Welsh players, who are used to mild cool summers, find it very much energy draining weather in the south of France, as do the English and Welsh fans.
But I do not want to underestimate the role of quality rugby in all of this. Any open minded observer who looks at the Catalans team on paper, will recognise that they have a massive pack, and now that Shane Perry has been dropped, quality halves, with a quality backline. Greenshields, Mogg, Bosc, Fakir, McGuire, Ryles, Guisset and Ferriol are all top drawer players. Elima, Casty, Pelo, and a rapidly improving Baille are not far behind. On paper this is the 3rd best team in Super League.
Unfortunately there have been some problems with the coach and his relations with the players. I certainly hope that this is being ironed out so that we can see this team play at its full potential.
