Update: Toulouse just won the Championship
In my book if the sport misses the opportunity to place one of Europe's major economic hubs in it's competition because the clubs in the M62 want to sell more pints and pies to other supporters from the M62 it will be disappointing.
But anyway, what was so satisfying about the win for Toulouse is that they done it in a sensible way. There was no boom or bust approach. They blooded youngsters Romeo Tropis, Baptiste Rodriguez, Hugo Garrigues, Trevor Chiffoleau and the team has a strong french core, coaching team and ownership. They have been the most successful Championship club in the last 5 years and consistently stable.
I love the spirit of the club and the direction it's going in, the club just needs a sustained timeframe in SL now in order to go to that next level. To attract investment and get more people playing in that SW region of France. My thinking is that as a big city and sitting in a major Rugby playing region they can over the long haul make a greater contribution to France's RL eco system than the Dragons.
Excited and optimistic to see how the next few years plays out for this club.