The Virtual Terrace • Re: The future of RL in the northern hemisphere

Fantastic attendance at a great event game and hopefully one that is repeated this year to keep up interest. Were you aware that 4 of the starting 13 that day, together with another 3 on the bench were born in France.

Now, to be crystal. In 2006, although the club itself was relatively new, Rugby League in the region was in decent shape (12k to the domestic final) and they had the chance to pick from at least a dozen clubs to nurture and grow the pathway for French players, all with no need to pay transfer fees. They were also exempt from relegation for 3 years to give them a chance to "bed in".

14 years later and they are as reliant on imports as they were in 2006 when they defeated Wigan in front of 11,000 fans except now they don't get 11,000 gates at their home ground.

This thread started with a list of London players and highlighting that the vast majority were London trained. At the end of 2006, London were also "re-born" after nearly going under. At the time, they were a team that had no local players that I can recall, but who had finished in a play-off spot. London now have very little reliance on antipodean players and have started to benefit from the conveyer-belt of talent started back in 2007. French Rugby League on the other hand has gone backwards, with 2k attending their domestic final in 2019.

I'd say that a London side packed with London born and trained players is far better for the game than 30k curious Catalonians at a one off event.

As I say. I hope they return to Barcelona again this year and we see an increase on the gate, but somehow, I can't see it as having been anything more than a one off event like it was in 2009 when Wire played in Spain. 10 years between drinks is a long time for all those Rugby Mad Catalonians.......especially if it is to watch a French side with fewer than 37% French Players.

Statistics: Posted by La Grange — Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:38 pm

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