Sat 29th Jun: France Vs England. Stade Ernest-Wallon 17:00 BST (SL+)

[eal]

James Graham lambasted this fixture as an embarrassment on NRL360. Wondered where the crowd was and why it was filmed on a Nokia phone.

[Henson Park Old Firm]

10 hours ago, eal said:

James Graham lambasted this fixture as an embarrassment on NRL360. Wondered where the crowd was and why it was filmed on a Nokia phone.

Cost of living crisis.

[JM2010]

Just read on another site that they’re staying committed to the France mid season test. It says they’re looking to play it in Perpignan and not as a curtain raiser. Hopefully they can put on a better event next year and keep building from there

[Damien]

[welshmagpie]

Here’s the frustrating thing:

Any one of us knew a triple header and in particular the order of it was a bad idea.

Blaming RU fans celebrating is a ###### poor excuse for the FFRXIII failing to advertise and promote it properly.

England’s low-cost preparations gave the whole thing a bad vibe also. 

Yes, Perpignan May draw in a healthier crowd but much more needs to be done around it. Better promotion, better preparation, the whole week should be dedicate to internationals giving other nations opportunity to play so no semi-pro or amateur games. Give the whole of the RL opportunity to get out and support or find time to watch or even play if you’re a Championship player eligible for another nation. 

[Damien]

The trouble is Perpignan isn't necessarily a big attendance boost like some seem to think on here, the last France v England game there only got 6k. Not sure why we never go back to Avignon after the great crowds we've had there.

[Whippet13]

4 minutes ago, welshmagpie said:

Here’s the frustrating thing:

Any one of us knew a triple header and in particular the order of it was a bad idea.

Blaming RU fans celebrating is a ###### poor excuse for the FFRXIII failing to advertise and promote it properly.

England’s low-cost preparations gave the whole thing a bad vibe also. 

Yes, Perpignan May draw in a healthier crowd but much more needs to be done around it. Better promotion, better preparation, the whole week should be dedicate to internationals giving other nations opportunity to play so no semi-pro or amateur games. Give the whole of the RL opportunity to get out and support or find time to watch or even play if you’re a Championship player eligible for another nation. 

Agree, and would play England v France a month earlier too, timing it just after the Elite 1 final to create more of an end-of-season event feeling for French fans.    

[Harry Stottle]

19 hours ago, Damien said:

The trouble is Perpignan isn't necessarily a big attendance boost like some seem to think on here, the last France v England game there only got 6k. Not sure why we never go back to Avignon after the great crowds we've had there.

Judging by the comments of some SL coaches and pundits if next years fixture fails to deliver, as a showpiece and also competitively it may be the last one for a long time, and will it be really missed?

I have said for a long time now that this fixture is a pointless exercise as far as England is concerned, it is no more than an opposed training session, we need to be playing full blown competitive games with all the eligible England players available, if that means going down under annually then so be it. 

[ATLANTISMAN]

Only 3 choices of venue for me.

Avignon

Carcassonne 

Perpignan 

 

 

[JT RL]

Rugby League in France only exists because the union was expelled from the 5 nations. With a strong national team the game rebounded from the disruption in the 2nd WW and thrived in the 1950s. Their system needs a proper national team.

Helping France develop a proper international team will help both the French & English game.

And that clearly does not mean half-planned, random fixtures at little stadiums from time to time. 

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, JT RL said:

Rugby League in France only exists because the union was expelled from the 5 nations. With a strong national team the game rebounded from the disruption in the 2nd WW and thrived in the 1950s. Their system needs a proper national team.

Helping France develop a proper international team will help both the French & English game.

And that clearly does not mean half-planned, random fixtures at little stadiums from time to time. 

I understand your sentiments JT but one question, who finances the development of the French International Team?

[Hopie]

2 hours ago, JT RL said:

With a strong national team the game rebounded from the disruption in the 2nd WW and thrived in the 1950s. 

There's a bit more to it than that, read "The Forbidden Game" for more details. It is not the only tale of underhand actions where Rugby Union hindered the development of Rugby League.

Nowadays we also do it on our own!

[JT RL]

Build a wide coalition to share the load

Build a wide consensus for a long term plan. Stakeholders - governing bodies (include nrl on the fringe) - super league - clubs - amateur & universities. On both sides of the channel.

In France sports stadiums are generally owned by the municipalities or regions. Usually sporting activities and events are supported by the same or similar bodies. Tourism and attracting commerce adds a further layer. Tying all the strands together could reduce operating cost in France & open revenue stream. The proposed World Cup had such support (just not enough of it!)

England RFL was able to tap into notable government support for the last World Cup - regional development / levelling up / etc. Lisa Nancy as new culture-sports would probably be an even more supportive voice.

At first broadcast rights  would not be so significant, but with forward planning and selecting a weekend that suits supporters and broadcasters, there would be revenue stream.

Lastly, put a small levy clubs on senior clubs. The argument for long term investment being; create more rugby league stories, more events, more stars, more people will follow the game and more people will come through the turnstiles.

[Archie Gordon]

I am slightly worried that people in high places seem to believe that the venue was the main problem with the game.

[RugbyLeagueGeek]

3 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

I am slightly worried that people in high places seem to believe that the venue was the main problem with the game.

Doesn't surprise me unfortunately. I have zero faith that the powers-that-be in our game have the aptitude to correctly diagnose the problem, or the capability of solving it.

[Harry Stottle]

On 08/07/2024 at 12:43, RugbyLeagueGeek said:

Doesn't surprise me unfortunately. I have zero faith that the powers-that-be in our game have the aptitude to correctly diagnose the problem, or the capability of solving it.

I will go along with those two descriptions, but still the caveat in all and everthing we want to do is the lack of funds, above @JT RL has painstakingly given an indepth solution to getting the sport heading onwards and upwards in France, then even just to set it up and get people to literally buy into it with money, time and effort, will just not happen.