The Daddy

Unfortunately Rugby League in London at all levels has gone down the pan.....sad

Or deck chair

I'd be up for that. I vote for Salon De Provence, Marseille or Lyon-Villebaune- Rhone, let's support a team outside the main areas of Aude and Perpignan

Less tonic?

How do you think Paul Sangare is progressing? He looks huge, even bigger than his brother

http://www.rugbyforumxiii.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=73744&start=30

Read on the French forums today that the French Federation has managed to bring in significant financial aid for Elite One clubs which will double each clubs budget. Can any of the French Rugby League commentators on here elaborate on what this might be? Been really impressed with what Luc Lacoste is doing and he seems to have the ambition and business nous to take the game forward over there. One really important thing that the Federation need to take control of is the production of Elite One games, it's great that we're able to watch many Elite games online but I think there's a general issue with the overall production quality of many of the games that are shown, some of the picture quality for games aren't very good, mostly filmed using a single camera and sometimes behind stand posts and obstructions. Another issue from a fan standpoint is not knowing where to go to tune into games as they are on varying formats some are on a clubs youtube page, others on a clubs facebook page, some on the Federation's youtube page and some games have been on Via Occitanie, this is really confusing and can cause fan apathy. My view is that the coverage needs to improve in terms of production quality and be easy to find on a single platform. For the Elite competition to survive and flourish it needs to move closer to professionalism both on and off the field so I hope some of these issues can be resolved in time for next season.

Carcassone 31 Lezignan 18 - Would love to see Vincent Albert get a gig at a SL club or a top Championship club. He's big, fast and decent footwork too

What does that mean? Is there a salary cap in the French League?

What's the deal with Villeneuve Leopards, rumours on the French forum that they will be dropping down to Elite 2. If that happens it will be a disaster for French Rugby League, they are the only club in that region

I've calculated that it will be 5 years at the end of next season. He started at Villeneuve in 2019, so end of next year or beginning of 2024 season will be 5 years

Returns for Toulouse Olympique in the next couple of weeks and to say that they've missed him is an understatement. Really important player for them and I hope alongside the signing of Corey Norman he Five a them a huge lift. On another note, if my estimation is correct he will qualify to play for France through residency at the end of next season, France should do anything they can to convince him to play for France.

Would love to have Jonothan Ford at London

Actually Montpellier used to be part of the heartlands.

Why? I don't understand

I actually heard that Montpellier Sharks were returning or wasn't going under as originally announced. Can anyone verify the current status of that outfit?

Another young prop that's stood out in the games I've watched is Dmitri Biscarro at Villeneuve Leopards

I saw in the Toulouse v St Esteve highlights Justin Sangare's younger brother was playing for TO, how is developing? The lad looks huge, bigger than Justin. Also noticed that Hugo Salabio was playing, a player that I think has big potential, surprised he hasn't at minimum in the 21 man Catalan squad. Saw him play a few games in the Championship on loan for Toulouse and was really impressed. France's weak spot in the past few years has been their pack, lack of size and top level players, these two lads are big units and I hope they can progress their careers to Super League sooner rather than later.

He's already playing 9 isn't he?

Yeah Jobe looks real promising, he looks like he can be anything he wants to be. Another one I'd like to see get game time in 2022. I see him as a centre not a second rower.

I'm really impressed by Florian Valihen, love the way he plays the game. A prop that loves to throw the ball around, pass, offload and play with his head up. I think he only played one or two games in SL last year but should get more game time next season. He was my man of the match

It's on Lezignan's Facebook page

I'm watching the Lezignan V St Esteve game and I've noticed a worrying trend in French rugby league in general, but I'm seeing it a lot in this game. When a tackled player thinks he's being held down at the ruck and wants to win a penalty he just drops the ball on the ground deliberately without even trying to get up off the ground and play the ball. Very cynical play, the Elite One games I watch just seem to get slowed down by players trying to get penalties, either by rolling on the ground feigning injury or just dropping the ball on the ground to milk a penalty. This cynical play is really affecting the product and the intensity of the game because there are just too many stoppages.

Any games today?

It seems as though Oliver Janzac is filling the Villeneuve Leopards team with mostly young players. Does anyone know the background around this, why so many youngsters? For a team that's full of youngsters they have been very competitive so far this season.