audois

Funny you should say that but I'm a bit like that to. Because thats the future isn't it. With Catalans this season I'm just as interested in seeing how their Academy U18s are going and follow with great interest the Roosters U20s. Its particularly important with the new expansion clubs that they develop their overall structures but in the last week I've seen these scores which are most encouraging: Quins U18 52-18 Wakefield Catalans U18s 26-22 Salford Crusaders U18s 38-32 Hull FC Oldham 24-42 South Wales Hemel 46-12 Kippax Nottingham 34-28 Featherstone Lions

Baile like Griffi grew up playing league at the MJC Junior set up in Carcassonne. After Juniors they both dabbled at union Griffi went off to Narbonne and Baile to Stade Toulousain. I think Griffi picked league up again playing at Salses down in the third tier level before being picked up by the Dragons in 2007. Baile had injury problems in his year in Toulouse before switching back to the XIII in 2008. Baile's father player rugby league for France in the 70s.

This has been reported here. That Catalans can have it appears five overseas players on the quota from next year - down from eight - but an additional two who have already played three years in the Super League. But as well can now sign English players too and visa-versa. There is a story doing the rounds that Elima has been linked with Bradford for next year.

Yeah not much Welsh about the Crusaders at the moment but what a job Noble, Harris and Sharp have done this year. But where in the hell did that Scorpions effort come from yesterday at Oldham. It looked like they had gone backwards a bit in recent weeks taking a tonking at Rochdale but that win puts them back in the play off mix for sure.

Well done to that man from the Tarn. Was in the middle for one of the modern day epics at Warrington. Nothing untowards to report from the serious press. Radio Merseyside suitably impressed. Not long since Alibert was derided by some but now gets one of the biggest games of the season. Good on the RFL also for having the courage of their convictions on giving this ago. Ditto Mohamed Drizza Thursday at the Shay following behind. Some reputable posters on here also suitable impressed too. Allez le Treize!

Yes Guisset like Elima had to go overseas to develop their game. I think at Catalans its a bit about creating a critical mass of senoir players with experience that eventually will pay. But compare that to players like Senior and Cunningham who alone have near 400-500 games under their belts. Its a significant difference and its what takes clubs like Saints and Leeds to another level. But at the Dragons keen to see what players like Baile and Martins can do. Both out for long spells this year but talented and still in early 20s.

Yes. Confirmed. Whats interesting to see now at Catalans is that a group of senior French players are racking up Super League experience. Guisset, Mounis and Bosc all 100 games under their belts now with Casty, Ferriol and Fakir heading that way. Where at one time all the French players were inexperienced depending soley on the antipodeans to lead the way now its slowly changing. It will be that bit easier for the next wave of young French hopefuls.

I knew that David Waite was involved at the start of 2006 but Mick Potter was coach for most of their debut season. I think he arrived in March that year.

Its been reported here that the 27 year old forward Jamel Fakir has re-signed for the Dragons - extending his existing contract to the end of 2013. He had expected to switch to union and Castres in Top 14. Must admit his idea of playing centre didn't for me anyway really fit. He has lost some of that explosivity he had before those two serious knee injuries back in 2006 but he still offers something positive to the team. Pleased because he is popular, whole hearted player and a good team member. He started in the front row against Wire and its where I always thought he would finish up. Will play his 89th game in the clubs colours this weekend. Allez JaJa! Allez.

Apparently to take charge of the Dragons reserves, St Esteve-XIII Catalan when they kick off the new season in September. Bit of an odd one that as Deakin was in charge of UTC the season leading into the Dragons first year in 2006 and on eve of season replaced rather suddenly by Mick Potter. It will be interesting this set up with Trent Robinson getting the Catalans coach position. The real plus is that they know the game here and just may be the French style and culture will become a bit more evident. Hopefully.

Article in the local La Depeche newspaper 22/07 headline: Les Minimes : TO XIII, le stade Arnaun

There was no one watching the game in Perpignan before the Dragons. XIII Catalan and St Esteve each averaging may be 5-600. Last season they took 100 coach loads of fans to Barcelona for Wire game. In the last year they've won what two or three home games and sit rock bottom. They'll average this year I reckon not far off 7000.

I thought the France-Wales game was scheduled for Toulouse 23 Oct. Albi to host Scotland week earlier. First French game against the Irish at Istres (near Marseille) on Sat 9 Oct.

These two sides are presently in action. Catalans U18 played four friendlies last season but this year will play in the official Valvoline Academy C Group along with Hull FC, Salford, Huddersfield and the Crusaders who they will play home and away. They beat the Welsh lads last weekend 37-30 at Gilbert Brutus before the Dragons SL game. All the Catalan side come from the junior clubs in and around Perpignan. The Roosters on the other hand are run and funded by the French Federation. It is their first year and have started playing friendlies against other SL clubs Valvoline Cup teams - think they've got eight matches lined up this year. Most the lads playing in this team have played senior football with French first division clubs. The squad has around 35 players and the idea is that most lads get to play on average 3-4 games. They've so far drawn at Cas, wins against Hull FC and Trinity and lost to Saints, Wigan and Warrington. Saturday against the comp leaders Warrington 40-20 at Aime-Giral before the Dragons game. Super match. The lad who stood out for me was a young scrum half named Robin from Villeneuve. The week before this lad ran the length of the field at Knowsley road for a try. Got another this weekend too showing good anticipation and speed off the mark. Hope he makes it. There's a Lezignan centre Cardace who's got class and pace too. Ran around the Wigan full back last week in style. This set-up is also based in Perpignan and travel away with the Dragons. The lads from out of town are billeted in local youth hostel so as to prepare for each game. These two projects running in tandem are the future of the game here and are the most significant developments to me since the Dragons arrived in 2006.

If you throw in the NRC Final 97500 for the eight games played. In the good-bad old days like 1975 the total league crowds reached around 800,000 for the season. Somebodies getting something right even if it is only one weekends attendances.

I thought Richard Lewis had said that they had presently a RLC club in nearly every county in the country. Wasn't their aspiration from there to have may be a Championship club in all nine Sports Council regions in the long term. Others see possibly as an interim a NCL quality set-up if that competition becomes a summer league from 2012.

The rumour was to Montpellier but nothing finalised. There's talk that Greenshields contract will be extended by another year. Hope so. Seems that Salford's Phil Leuluai will return to France, he played earlier at Limoux, to sign for Lezignan and that N. Wynn's move to FCL is a done deal. I presume he will finish the season off at Toulouse.

According to the FF web-site. Possibly Catalans best player this year has resigned for another two seasons. Excellent news this after Raguin, Vaccari and Duport have committed to the club for 2011. Elsewhere Tamghart is returning from Halifax to play again at his home town club Carpentras who have also targeted theToulouse forward Pelo. The Vaucluse side look to be building nicely. Could be seriously challengers come September. A real odd one here with the rumour that Nathan Wynn possibly Toulouse's best player could be on his way to champions Lezignan.

Sorry I got the numbers wrong. As you say it's 20 in regular season. I cannot see though the attraction of say FCL-ASC going head to head again. They will play each other three times in the regular season and then there's the coupe and play offs. Plus FCL will be involved in the Challenge Cup too I understand. But the top couple of teams playing TO would create interest for sure.

On dual-registrations from Catalans. Good news this. TO have suffered all season with problems at half back and have now lost Constant Villegas their only real stand off for the season with a knee injury. Barthau was on the bench Sunday for the Dragons against Wigan but didn't get a run out while Gigot played for the Federations U20s in their 44-12 loss to a Wigan side featuring both Karl Pryce and Palea'aesina. A few lads did well for the French there. Liked the little lively scrum half Robin from Villeneuve and two lads from Lezignan centre Cardace and prop Bousquet looked impressive.

It looks like they're playing 22 games with 'two extra' games already. Full opening round all at Lezignan last week in September and and at the end in Avignon. May be at a push they could permit the return phase after Christmas the 'retour' double up as counting for Championship and NRL qualification.

A bit difficult to see the French finding space to organise their own qualifying group. On the other hand having a three team group of say Toulouse, Lezignan and say South Wales playing each other home and away sounds promising.

I understand that both the Catalans and the Crusaders will participate in the C Group playing home and away - 8 matches - against Hull FC, Huddersfield and Salford starting from next month. The Catalans played four friendly matches last year at this age group so real progress for them here.

Over here in Carcassonne and around its the symbol - XIII that defines the game. Chez Felix Bar in centre of town has the ASC XIII scrawled on the window. Interestingly the USAP Perpignan club who have just finished top of the Top 14 XV competition here are always in the local L'Independant paper referred to as rugby