Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
Calm down. I am saying that around 15-18 Catalans players were used in the World Cup squad last year and played to the QF.
It's truly incredible what the French achieved at the World Cup last year. Quarter Finalists on the back of scoring 21 points in 4 games. They were awful.
Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
Catalans then started 2014 with five straight defeats. Relegation is now in place and Catalans' board have probably said enough is enough we want our best players fresh for next year - hence why Bosc, Escare, Duport, Mounis, Elima, Casty etc. have been withdrawn.
Sundry Australian and Kiwi players have withdrawn from the 4N tournament. Last time I checked, the NRL was still a franchise fairies structural wet dream. Still, if it suits your agenda to blame the Catalonian withdrawal of half a dozen players from the French squad due to an impending SL Jeopardy Virus, feel free giving it your best shot.
Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
I am quite looking forward to see how the new competition format goes next year but it is what it is. Nearly all the top level French players are contracted to Catalans and they will look after themselves.
That goes without saying and would happen in any event. It's a cultural thing in RL. Club before country. Always has been. That's what needs to change.
Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
To say French RL hasn't improved is also unfair. Kevin Laroyer, Theo Fages, Jamil Fakir, Michael Simon are just some of the players who will be at English clubs next year. A massive increase on that is what will make the difference. France now has around 20-30 full-time RL players. This was an increase on just 1 full-time player in 2006. This number needs to be at 70-80 to give them any kind of a chance.
Any alleged French improvement as a consequence of being exposed to SL playing standards is clearly not being translated into any improvement at international level. The evidence suggests the opposite.
Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
Toulouse is one option
Would that be via P&R or the franchising route? Let me guess
Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
but more players going from France to English clubs is also a must.
They'd be better off by-passing SL, getting past GO, collecting £200 and playing in the NRL instead. If the SL-era has taught us anything, it's that SL playing standards are increasingly trailing behind NRL playing standards. Super League playing standards do not cut it at international level, and to such an alarming degree that losing fixtures against semi-pros and amateurs is now becoming commonplace.
Shoe Shine Johnny wrote:
Also, appointing Bobby Goulding and Richard Agar as coaches just about sums up the French Federation. At least Catalans had the nads to hire a French coach and stick with them.
I'm pretty sure David Waite is Australian. Should be interesting to see how Frayssinous goes next season without him.