ClearwingJack Burton:
Rumours that the French clubs may have their central funding cut.
Catalans and Toulouse are arguably the biggest success story on the modern era, and we're going to cast them aside in the name of myopic penny pinching.
I’m torn on the French clubs. Toulouse especially are a problem for other English Rugby League teams. The amount of travel for the clubs with part time squads and the financial implications for any of the clubs and players can’t be great. The lack of travelling Toulouse spectators through other clubs gates is a problem that will never be solved. As for Catalans, the same problem applies with no travelling Catalans fans, and a lack of atmosphere in the ground when they come to England. The away game at Cats is a sterile affair for 99% of English fans who watch on TV while the other 1% go for a p*** up. I’m not really that bothered for attempting to expand the game any further to an imaginary supporter base that doesn’t in reality exist, so if it means cutting funding for Catalans to reinvigorate the English scene I’m not particularly bothered.
