World cup journey over for the French

 France exited the world cup with barely a whimper after a sound thrashing by Samoa last night. 

After some really positive signs against the hosts, England, they couldn't follow it up running out of steam well before the half time hooter sounded. 

It will be difficult to assess the tournament, especially with France being the host nation next time out. 

What this did show was how much Catalans Dragons over achieve on a weekly basis (and yes that is me giving the coach some slack!!). 

I wanted to see some flair and the combination of the Death Man, the Pizza man and Tony Gigot linking up with Morgan from full back and tearing some tiring forwards a new one. 

And yet...

Of course there will now be gobs on the internet talking about the death of international rugby league and comparing viewing figures this weekend when the England teams of both codes play. 

But for me, we have made a start and should now continue the journey. 

A good start would be playing some international matches...

Sam Tomkins on the Rugby Pod

 Click here to listen. 

IMG - Is there a bigger picture I am not seeing?

 The confirmation that clubs (including our own) had voted in favour of the recommendations of IMG came yesterday. 

If there wasn't a feeling that the Superleague is over its French experiment and wants us out before hand, some of the detail certainly makes that clear. 

Unless there is something really key I am missing...

Participation of clubs outside of the UK to be capped and with additional standards to support domestic growth

However, the number of clubs outside of the UK would also be capped at two with a minimum number of domestic players in a match-day 17 among the participation criteria.

Those clubs must also subsidise incremental travel costs of UK clubs until a central contribution can otherwise cover them

...These three statements on their own (allowing for the fact we have covered some costs already) make me think that Steve McNamara wasn't being paranoid in this assertation that Ken Davy wanted Dragons out. 

If you look at it objectively we have a great stadium, good fan base, positive currency impact, great climate and location to add good players... etc. etc. 

Are the clubs in the M62 corridor looking to protect their dominance of a sport shrinking back into itself I wonder? 

Of course there will be internet experts who throw back at us the fact we voted for this... so we must support this. 

Nonsense. 

This was something that the Dragons would have to support, even if it was kneecapping them and their ability to compete. 

These restrictions could well be step one in downgrading the club from an A to a B in a few years and chucking us out of the game. 

Bernard has already indicated that he is looking for other people to join him at the top table in Perpignan. Based on this I am not so sure I would invest in us. 

Unless there is something really key I am missing...

Now would be a good time to let me know ! 

2023 Key dates

 As of yet Ken Davy hasn't got us chucked out of the competition so let's get these dates shared...

2022 Upcoming announcements

Magic Weekend venue, date, fixtures: Sunday 16 October

Magic Weekend tickets on sale: Sunday 23 October

2023 Full season fixtures: Thursday 3 November

Grand Final tickets on sale: Sunday 20 November

2023 Key dates

Opening Round: Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 February

Rival Round (Easter): Thursday 6 April – Monday 10 April

(Final) Round 27: Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 September

Eliminators: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 September

Semi Finals: Friday 6 & Saturday 7 October

Grand Final: Saturday 14 October

French RL World Cup squad named

 Here is the French team for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup

France squad for Rugby League World Cup:

Lambert Belmas (Toulouse)

Alrix Da Costa (Catalans)

Jordan Dezaria (Catalans)

Morgan Escaré (Salford)

Benjamin Garcia (Catalans)

Tony Gigot (Toulouse)

Mickael Goudemand (Catalans)

Benjamin Jullien (Catalans)

Mathieu Laguerre (Catalans)

Samisoni Langi (Catalans)

Corentin Le Cam (Catalans)

Paul Marcon (Toulouse)

Anthony Marion (Toulouse)

Arthur Mourgue (Catalans)

Eloi Pelissier (Toulouse)

Maxime Puech (Albi)

Arthur Romano (Catalans)

César Rougé (Catalans)

Justin Sangaré (Toulouse)

Paul Séguier (Catalans)

Gadwin Springer (Featherstone)

Maxime Stefani (Toulouse)

Louis Jouffret (Halifax)

Fouad Yaha (Catalans)

Ex-coach joins St Helens

Laurent Frayssinous back in the Superleague as assistant to Paul Wellens.

Hooray !!!!! and bon chance.

2023 pre-season (Superleague) updates

 From RLFans forum

https://forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=638440