11 replies to this topic

[audois]

When I plonked myself down in these parts the Aude had more or less just three clubs operating. Carcassonne where struggling at second tier level and Lezignan and Limoux in the first division. The three senior clubs where/are fully structured with schools of rugby, U14, U16 and U21. But elsewhere nothing. This in an area considered a league strong hold.

Encouragingly in recent times we've seen some real hope at real grass root development in the local rural villages as was the case a long time ago when the game here had some standing. Around Lezignan you had new or reformed teams starting up at Ornaisons, Ferrals, Homps and Servies en Val all in the past couple of years.

Last year we saw things starting to happen around Carcassonne at last with a new team at Villeneuve Minervois, a village of 800 or so. Wigan lad Alan Walsh involved there as player coach. But this passed summer three new teams have sprung up at nearby Villegailhenc and south of Carcassonne on the road out to Limoux at Preixan and Le Lauquet. Whats spurred on this is that the local Carbades side who last year played in the second division gave up the ghost. Long and expensive trips to Paris and Lyon became undoable. Instead the players from Carbades have drifted off to help create these new entities.

The eight teams Federal now up and running play in the Languedoc/Roussillon comp along with the Catalans as well as Beziers and Montpellier seconds. This last weekend saw two local derbys with Ornaisons just edging out Villegailhenc 20-18 whilst Le Lauquet on their debut won at Servies en Val 32-16. Homps won up in Montpellier 25-22 while Ferrals won at Palau seconds 48-26. Possibly the game of the round saw the Catalans of St Paul Fenouillet just get past Villeneuve Minervois 36-24.

There's talk already if everything sticks together that the Aude would like to see at some stage their own league. One of the obvious reasons is that the clubs could well see some decent crowds turning out. Its all early days I know but this should be the way to go broadening the base.

The signs elsewhere are also encouraging. Up in Provence they are looking at a Federal comp of seven, same in Lyon. Not sure what they've got in Paris but out west in Acquitaine I think eight involved and Midi Pyrenee around Toulouse and the Tarn may be anouther two groups of six or seven.

I remember along time ago the union lot had their top national comp based around 64 clubs in eight regional pools. It would be great for the treize here if we could arrive at something like that for the Federal set up at least.

[Pottsy]

That's great news. I've actually just come back from a week in Carcassonne with the family and really enjoyed our stay.

We actually spotted Stade Puig Albert whilst driving through the village next to where we were staying (Penautier) and wondered whether there had ever been a team there (we spotted some sticks but they may have been for union).

Also, what sort of crowds to USC XV get? We attended the ASC v UTC fixture on Saturday night (thanks kindly to the manager of Chez Felix) and I'd guess there were around 1000-1500 spectators in attendance; How does this compare to the union crowds?

Travelling around the area, although there are plenty of posters etc for both clubs, it would appear that USC have a slightly higher profile; Is this reflected in their respective crowds?

What's striking is just how popular 'rugby' is in this part of France. Football is almost nowhere to be seen.

Is there the basis for a future Super League franchise in the Aude? I know some fans travel down to support Les Catalans at present but, having driven from Carcassonne to Perpignan myself (about 1 hr 40) I can't imagine there are too many supporters who regularly make this journey.

It was interesting also to see the quality of the stade at Narbonne; Is there still talk of this hosting some Super League fixtures?

Genuinely interested in finding out more about rugby per se in this beautiful region.


PS, I'm off back to France again in three weeks time for a tour game against Nantes Bretagne Vikings XIII. Can't wait!

[audois]

That's great news. I've actually just come back from a week in Carcassonne with the family and really enjoyed our stay.

We actually spotted Stade Puig Albert whilst driving through the village next to where we were staying (Penautier) and wondered whether there had ever been a team there (we spotted some sticks but they may have been for union).

Also, what sort of crowds to USC XV get? We attended the ASC v UTC fixture on Saturday night (thanks kindly to the manager of Chez Felix) and I'd guess there were around 1000-1500 spectators in attendance; How does this compare to the union crowds?

Travelling around the area, although there are plenty of posters etc for both clubs, it would appear that USC have a slightly higher profile; Is this reflected in their respective crowds?

What's striking is just how popular 'rugby' is in this part of France. Football is almost nowhere to be seen.

Is there the basis for a future Super League franchise in the Aude? I know some fans travel down to support Les Catalans at present but, having driven from Carcassonne to Perpignan myself (about 1 hr 40) I can't imagine there are too many supporters who regularly make this journey.

It was interesting also to see the quality of the stade at Narbonne; Is there still talk of this hosting some Super League fixtures?

Genuinely interested in finding out more about rugby per se in this beautiful region.


PS, I'm off back to France again in three weeks time for a tour game against Nantes Bretagne Vikings XIII. Can't wait!

Pleased that you found you're way to Chez Felix on Place Carnot. The patron Jean Cabrol a lovely bloke and complete treiziste. They show all Super League, Championship and NRL games there too. Jean played at St Gaudens and coached the ASC. His father in law was the great Felix Bergese who both played and coached the side covering four decades. When the town Council re-build the new stand at Domec the talk is that it will be named after the former ASC legend. Would be appropriate with the Puig Aubert statue alongside keeping the story alive.

Yes the union lot now in Pro2 offer a real challenge to the Canaris. They posted a crowd of 5000 for their first home match a few weeks back. The ASC just have to be as good as they can be. They can expect to double the UTC crowd when Limoux and Lezignan arrive at Domec.

Pennautier is the village where Cabardes used to play but now playing up the road at Villegailhenc.

I know a fair few ASC fans who also support the Dragons and are season ticket holders so a fair few travel down every home game. You'd be surprised that lots of treizistes travel down to Perpignan once or twice a season from as far as Lyon and Villeneuve. My take on the Aude being represented in SL is its just too near Perpignan for the time being. The Dragons still very much a work in progress. May be after ten years or more they could look at it again. Still think Toulouse for the moment should be persevered with.

Narbonne was used by the Dragons in their first year. I was hoping France would have used the venue for this years EC. Good location for travelling fans. Lezignan just 15 minutes away might just fancy Narbonne too if ever their aspirations for the Championship were realised.

Just this morning the local Radio Marseillette have introduced a second weekly magazine programme Le Treize covering the new Federal set-up. Allez le Treize!

Edited by audois, 05 October 2010 - 11:59 AM.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

PS, I'm off back to France again in three weeks time for a tour game against Nantes Bretagne Vikings XIII. Can't wait!

Can't wait too!

[Pottsy]

Could a successful USC not benefit ASC in some respects (eg, ground improvements etc) or is there still too much antipathy between the codes?

I have to hold my hands up and say that I've been pretty impressed by what I've seen of the Top 14 comp in terms of playing standard, style of rugby and branding etc. Does the obvious strength of union (and let's face it league is never gonna win a head on clash - particularly in France) necessarily mean that league has to suffer?

[Pottsy]

Could a successful USC not benefit ASC in some respects (eg, ground improvements etc) or is there still too much antipathy between the codes?

I have to hold my hands up and say that I've been pretty impressed by what I've seen of the Top 14 comp in terms of playing standard, style of rugby and branding etc. Does the obvious strength of union (and let's face it league is never gonna win a head on clash - particularly in France) necessarily mean that league has to suffer?

[audois]

Could a successful USC not benefit ASC in some respects (eg, ground improvements etc) or is there still too much antipathy between the codes?

I have to hold my hands up and say that I've been pretty impressed by what I've seen of the Top 14 comp in terms of playing standard, style of rugby and branding etc. Does the obvious strength of union (and let's face it league is never gonna win a head on clash - particularly in France) necessarily mean that league has to suffer?

I think the rise of USC has concentrated some minds for sure. I attended this years ASC agm for the first time and the hall was packed. May be the councils decision to re-develope Domec was inspired by the USC recent success. But then you here rumours that they want ASC out of Domec. The antagonsism here is strong and lasting. Remember here both codes occupy the same terrain unlike across the Channel. The bloke who runs USAP in Perpignan never refers to the Dragons. The words never come out of his mouth.

Yes the Top 14 is very big with lots of dosh but the treize keeps battling away. What other choice have they. When in Chez Felix last week watching the NRL and SL grand finals infront of 70-80,000 crowds their chests I swear swell out. It gives them hope.

[Lobbygobbler]

I don't understand the comment that the Aude is too close to Les Cats?

I've driven from Perpignan to Narbonne and it is a good 3 hour drive. Also the "Aude" is not part of Rousillon (correct me if I'm wrong). In fact I'd argue it is a naturally located area for the next SL club (with the next after that being Provence). At least there is stacks of heritage, unlike Toulouse

[Brisvegan]

I don't understand the comment that the Aude is too close to Les Cats?

I've driven from Perpignan to Narbonne and it is a good 3 hour drive. Also the "Aude" is not part of Rousillon (correct me if I'm wrong). In fact I'd argue it is a naturally located area for the next SL club (with the next after that being Provence). At least there is stacks of heritage, unlike Toulouse

I guess by French standards 3 hours drive isn't so far? Pretty sure also that the Aude is part of Langedoc-Rousilion Department.
I spent a very enjoyable week in Limoux June 2009, a lovely little place mercifully yet to be "discovered" by Daily Torygraph readers. And they have a rugby league team too!
I've given up on retiring back to OZ, my English missus has put the kybosh on that, but I may be able to get Limoux by her.
Thanks for the update Audois, I hope Les Grizzlies are still going in circa 2026.

[audois]

I don't understand the comment that the Aude is too close to Les Cats?

I've driven from Perpignan to Narbonne and it is a good 3 hour drive. Also the "Aude" is not part of Rousillon (correct me if I'm wrong). In fact I'd argue it is a naturally located area for the next SL club (with the next after that being Provence). At least there is stacks of heritage, unlike Toulouse

Lobby I'm the slowest driver you'll ever meet and I in a clapped out Fiat Uno can get to Perpignan from Carcassonne in two hours! The Aude is one of I think four departments which make up the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Toulouse got near 13000 for NZ match last year and 4000 for pre-season for friendly against Dragons. I think they have to give that TOXIII a real go before looking elsewhere. Remember you have also to consider the Acquitaine region around Villeneuve and the Tarn department who would go to Toulouse also. I hear that they are looking at playing a Championship game in Albi in 2011.

For me it would be great to have something in Carcassonne just a few strides from my front door but the RFL would want to see the Catalans rock solid in every way before jumping across the border. I some times think that the French model could be a bit like the Irish union one with four professional/semi/pro entities. Something like Catalan and Toulouse to SL and Aude and Vaucluse-Provence to Championship.

[audois]

I guess by French standards 3 hours drive isn't so far? Pretty sure also that the Aude is part of Langedoc-Rousilion Department.
I spent a very enjoyable week in Limoux June 2009, a lovely little place mercifully yet to be "discovered" by Daily Torygraph readers. And they have a rugby league team too!
I've given up on retiring back to OZ, my English missus has put the kybosh on that, but I may be able to get Limoux by her.
Thanks for the update Audois, I hope Les Grizzlies are still going in circa 2026.

Its lovely isn't up Limoux way. Great ride up the Aude Valley on the train. Timtum who posts on here live further south near Quillan. We often meet up at Limoux's picturesque Stade l'Aiguille to see the Grizzlies in action.

May be if you can convince the missus its worth a punt you could help to get some Federal sides off the ground too to join those sides around Carca and Lezignan! But get here before 2026!

Edited by audois, 06 October 2010 - 06:59 PM.

[Pottsy]

I don't understand the comment that the Aude is too close to Les Cats?

I've driven from Perpignan to Narbonne and it is a good 3 hour drive. Also the "Aude" is not part of Rousillon (correct me if I'm wrong). In fact I'd argue it is a naturally located area for the next SL club (with the next after that being Provence). At least there is stacks of heritage, unlike Toulouse

Bloody hell, what were you driving???? A Sinclair C5???!!!!

We managed Carcassonne to Canet-Plage (just past Perpignan) in about 2hrs 15mins. The trip to Narbonne (using the back roads and passing through Lezignan took about 1hr 20mins.