Sat 26th Feb: Toulouse Olympique v Warrington Wolves KO 6pm

[Desert Skipper]

18-32.

A win’s a win, as they say. The next two games should reveal where Warrington are at in terms of the transformation away from Price and into a Powell attacking machine.

[GUBRATS]

1 minute ago, GeordieSaint said:

Toulouse competitive against one of the best sides in the league?

We were ' competitive ' in both games against Saints last year , they need a win , by hook or by crook 

[Desert Skipper]

4 minutes ago, GUBRATS said:

We were ' competitive ' in both games against Saints last year , they need a win , by hook or by crook 

It’s also far too early to say Warrington are one of the best sides this year. We’re not firing on all cylinders. Not at all. However, that’s a good thing, because we have 3 from 3. If we can keep winning games when we do start to click we should be good for the second half of this season as well as being enjoyable to watch.

[Futtocks]

Duplicate

[Dave T]

44 minutes ago, Scubby said:

Maybe if they hadn't had to pay everyone's travel they could have set something up?

Do you have any evidence that this is actually the case, because on one hand we see criticism of SL clubs travelling in and out on the day to save costs, and then on the other we get told it is paid for for them. 

It's almost as if the existing clubs get criticised no matter what isn't it? 

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

3 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Do you have any evidence that this is actually the case, because on one hand we see criticism of SL clubs travelling in and out on the day to save costs, and then on the other we get told it is paid for for them. 

It's almost as if the existing clubs get criticised no matter what isn't it? 

I'm pretty sure the 'in/out' thing is due to the RFL Covid protocols and not cost saving.

[Scubby]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

Do you have any evidence that this is actually the case, because on one hand we see criticism of SL clubs travelling in and out on the day to save costs, and then on the other we get told it is paid for for them. 

It's almost as if the existing clubs get criticised no matter what isn't it? 

I can't be arsed digging it up but there was media stuff at the end of the year about Toulouse being hit in their recruitment as it had not got out of the commitment to fund travel of opposing teams. I don't know 100% how that played out but they have hardly signed anyone before the start of the season. 

[Dave T]

1 minute ago, Scubby said:

I can't be arsed digging it up but there was media stuff at the end of the year about Toulouse being hit in their recruitment as it had not got out of the commitment to fund travel of opposing teams. I don't know 100% how that played out but they have hardly signed anyone before the start of the season. 

It would be interesting to see an official response to this, as we've seen this week, some of the journos are not the most thorough at digging into these things to look at facts. 

But without evidence I'm a believer in not stating it as facts. 

[Dave T]

7 minutes ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

I'm pretty sure the 'in/out' thing is due to the RFL Covid protocols and not cost saving.

The point is that clubs get stick for it whatever the truth is. It's just the way it is, if you've been around for decades you are fair game and to be criticised at every turn. 

I think some clubs have done the in/out in a day thing even in advance of Covid too. 

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

25 minutes ago, GUBRATS said:

We were ' competitive ' in both games against Saints last year , they need a win , by hook or by crook 

 

28 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Toulouse competitive against one of the best sides in the league?

Toulouse are certainly improving and looking to add more players to their squad. It’s true they need to pick up some wins along the way, Wakefield in 2 weeks is a big game for them, it’s likely both clubs will be on 0 points going into that game.

[Lowdesert]

1 hour ago, dkw said:

Quite dissapointed this isnt on tv, for some reason I thought i read all Toulouse home homes were going to be shown somewhere. 

Occitaine tv

[dkw]

3 minutes ago, Lowdesert said:

Occitaine tv

Occitaine to you too my friend, occitaine to everyone.....

[Snowys Backside]

2 hours ago, Desert Skipper said:

The entire Warrington squad is double-vaxxed. 

I think Powell is probably taking the opportunity to give Dean a chance for some first team rugby. He’s seen as the successor to Widdop, and Powell is probably the right coach to be under as a halfback learning his trade. Pretty sure Widdop and Currie will be back for Cats and Saints.

He’s getting his teeth done in Stocky Heath then

[Scubby]

13 minutes ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

 

Toulouse are certainly improving and looking to add more players to their squad. It’s true they need to pick up some wins along the way, Wakefield in 2 weeks is a big game for them, it’s likely both clubs will be on 0 points going into that game.

Wakefield will get off the mark next week. Leeds are easy pickings atm.

 

[ELBOWSEYE]

21 minutes ago, Snowys Backside said:

He’s getting his teeth done in Stocky Heath then

Even that's too expensive for widdop in Stockton Heath. 

[DimmestStar]

1 hour ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

 

 Wakefield in 2 weeks is a big game for them, it’s likely both clubs will be on 0 points going into that game.

That rather depends on the outcome of the relegation 4 pointer when winless Leeds travel to Wakefield. That's a 50/50 game IMO.

[UTK]

Just noticed TO had young Maxime Stefani debut (in the second row according to their social media lineup) and Paul Marcon played his first SL game on the wing. Would be handy if he showed something in his first start because they do lack backrow depth.

Some stability in the spine with Gigot/Albert in the halves and OAB at the back will be a big boost so the likes of Hankinson and Paulo don't have to play out of position (probably a strong case for the latter to play in the "left right out" position anyway). 

Add Schaumkel, Peyroux and Hansen (if he makes the side) in the next couple of weeks and we should get to see a more accurate depiction of how the season will unfold.

 

[dealwithit]

For me a couple quick ones:

1) OAB 1, Albert 6, Gigot 7

2) Hankinson centre

3) Even with Peyroux and Hansen fit TO really need to recruit a seasoned, class prop

4) Guy Armitage defending at centre makes me nervous. Perhaps wing or impact off bench until defence improves. 

[Leeds Wire]

 

[kiggy]

19 minutes ago, Leeds Wire said:

 

That first Toulouse try was not awarded. No idea why, the referee was a bit vague on some of his signals. There was another TO try under the posts marked off in the 2nd half too. 

That Olly chap looks sharpish.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

4 hours ago, Desert Skipper said:

It’s also far too early to say Warrington are one of the best sides this year. We’re not firing on all cylinders. Not at all. However, that’s a good thing, because we have 3 from 3. If we can keep winning games when we do start to click we should be good for the second half of this season as well as being enjoyable to watch.

In fairness, you've only played the bottom 3

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

1 hour ago, dealwithit said:

 

4) Guy Armitage defending at centre makes me nervous. Perhaps wing or impact off bench until defence improves. 

Was always a development area with us. Big body though so no reason why he shouldn't be able to stop anyone off he gets in the right position

[clogdance]

4 hours ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

 

Toulouse are certainly improving and looking to add more players to their squad. It’s true they need to pick up some wins along the way, Wakefield in 2 weeks is a big game for them, it’s likely both clubs will be on 0 points going into that game.

Bless

[George Watt]

On 26/02/2022 at 06:07, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

Robert Elstone scrapped the paid French tv deal, there is now no tv deal in France. Catalans pay to film their own games which then get broadcast. As things stand no Toulouse games will be broadcast this year. 

Yet next Saturday March 5th the SKY TV match scheduled is Toulouse V Wigan?

[Just Browny]

10 hours ago, UTK said:

Just noticed TO had young Maxime Stefani debut

His mum Gwen will be very proud, no doubt.