Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 7:52 am  

Redscat wrote:

Don't the situations re Toronto Wolfpack and Catalan Dragons indicate how fickle the whole idea of overseas expansion is. Ok, we're experiencing unprecedented situation during the last twelve months, and who knows we may yet lose British clubs before the endemic is over, but the ease with which Toronto disappeared shows the vulnerability of such clubs. Let's concentrate on our traditional clubs.

Couldn't agree more Redscat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in favour of expansion, but get the game sorted in our own backyard first, then, maybe more clubs, but British sides first.

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 8:55 am  

Could it be that Catalans have to locate in the UK for the start of the season and maybe longer depending on how Covid is managed. I can't see Catalans coming and going to play fixtures and like wise British sides travelling to France. The RFL are going to have to make some big decisions with the start of the season approaching.

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:21 am  

I think it was in last weeks League Express that it said that they are potentially looking at doing just that - re-locating to England until travel restrictions are lifted ??

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:34 am  

FIL wrote:

I think it was in last weeks League Express that it said that they are potentially looking at doing just that - re-locating to England until travel restrictions are lifted ??

Yes, I think that’s an idea put forward by Catalans managements, on the understanding, “All” the games played here, are regarded as Away games for Catalan, therefore, the last 3 months or so, All their games will be played in Catalan. I hope everything goes to plan, for the good of the game.

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 1:55 pm  

Yep...confirmed in today's League Express

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 3:18 pm  

Dunkirk Spirit wrote:

Yes, I think that’s an idea put forward by Catalans managements, on the understanding, “All” the games played here, are regarded as Away games for Catalan, therefore, the last 3 months or so, All their games will be played in Catalan. I hope everything goes to plan, for the good of the game.

Totally agree.

Lets hope things work out for every RL club.
These are testing times all the way down the RL pyramid and it's going to be really tough for amateur RL to recover from this.

It's an easy option for schools not to play RL (or Union), as they are deemed to be the most risky of competitive sports and ultimately, it's just as important to have the game being played at junior level, as it is to have SL.
A whole generation of youngsters could be lost to the game and whilst the effects of this wont be felt immediately, keeping the "production line" of players going is just as important as having SL.

Back to Catalan, it seems they are like marmite.
Plenty of fans enjoy them being in SL but, plenty of others would happily replace them with Fev or London.

Personally, I think they add something different to the comp and it's a great trip over there.
Having said that, they alone will never make France competitive against England, never.

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 4:12 pm  

What your saying Wrencat is that you prefer a trip to the south of France rather than Featherstone.

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 5:45 pm  

Trinity1964 wrote:

What your saying Wrencat is that you prefer a trip to the south of France rather than Featherstone.

One thing about it, it would be a lot cheaper and easier to get your money back if covid scuppers you’re plans

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 6:53 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Totally agree.

Lets hope things work out for every RL club.
These are testing times all the way down the RL pyramid and it's going to be really tough for amateur RL to recover from this.

It's an easy option for schools not to play RL (or Union), as they are deemed to be the most risky of competitive sports and ultimately, it's just as important to have the game being played at junior level, as it is to have SL.
A whole generation of youngsters could be lost to the game and whilst the effects of this wont be felt immediately, keeping the "production line" of players going is just as important as having SL.

Back to Catalan, it seems they are like marmite.
Plenty of fans enjoy them being in SL but, plenty of others would happily replace them with Fev or London.

Personally, I think they add something different to the comp and it's a great trip over there.
Having said that, they alone will never make France competitive against England, never.

I actually disagree on this because of the following, nothing against Catalans, but why should they play all there away games one after the other of which several are likely to be in empty stadiums yet from the second half of the season all there games would be in the height of summer probably with some crowds by that time.

I do not feel this is a level playing field.

Re: Catalans SL : Mon Feb 01, 2021 8:25 pm  

Another point regarding Catalans playing all their away games together. If Sky decide to use just three or four grounds like last season for all the tv games how could Wakefield v Catalans at Headingley be classed as our home game. This scenario wouldn't be a level playing field.