Toulouse launch countdown to Super League

[DIEHARD]

Toulouse have submitted a bid to play in Super League in 2015, and have launched a website to provide details and a petition to gain support.

They are hoping to become the third French side to play in the competition's history, joining current members Catalan, who first played in Super League back in 2006.

A three-year stint in the Championship between 2009-11, where they finished in the bottom half of the table, failed to convince the RFL that they were ready to make the step up in to the top flight, but work behind the scenes since then has started to come to fruition.

Their inclusion is believed to be dependent on the French club being able to negotiate a separate TV deal, independent from the existing Super League deal with Sky Sports.

The website contains a range of testimonials, including quotes from Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan and RFL Directors of Standards and Licensing Blake Solly.

It is unclear at this stage whether Toulouse's push for 2015 would see them take part in Super League in its current form, or as part of the proposed two-league Super League, which would include the much debated split option.

Current top flight clubs are due to meet next week to ratify the changes recommended by the RFL's Policy Review.

To visit the website, go to: http://www.superleague2015.to13.com/

[DIEHARD]

This would be a dream come true. I've long been a fan of Toulouse XIII.

Although this looks like itd be at the expense of London.

Two French Super League clubs would do the national side wonders.

[DIEHARD]

Id be happy to see them in a SL2.

[DIEHARD]

http://www.to13.com/

They also just redid their website, from memory as I visited it just a few days ago.

[kioli]

Would be absolutely fantastic to see another French team in SL but at the expense of London? I really hope that's not true mate.

[DIEHARD]

Would be absolutely fantastic to see another French team in SL but at the expense of London? I really hope that's not true mate.

Me too. But London nearly died a few weeks ago. And are going to limp through 2014 with most of their players having departed.

Super League clubs meet next week to agree on the number of clubs involved in SL and Id say that number will go down.

Perhaps both London and Toulouse will be in SL2?

If they bring in promotion and relegation, that brings in more trouble.

[Titanic]

A positive extra French team is better than a dysfunctional London team.

[DIEHARD]

A positive extra French team is better than a dysfunctional London team.

That is also my pragmatic view. London can continue in a lower grade. Or possible prove their worth this season at a new venue.

[Titanic]

London is a weird market. When I ran around for a couple of seasons at Hull, way before SL was even thought about, there really seemed that there was interest in London but the Earl's Court days were already on the wane. The logic of depending on the expat market was never really a goer and without really good local media every franchise was on a hiding to nothing.

[DIEHARD]

Wow you played for Hull? Dont let David May know!

That's very cool and some more first hand experience we can hear about.

I dont think the expat angle was ever exploited.

Ive tired of asking the London club year after year to have a none ticketed membership.