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Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 10:36
by casjunction
Just briefly looked at the fixture dates for next season.
Apparently Tolouse have decided as they did last year not to take part.
They are allowed to do so because they are not a member of the RFL
Seems odd to me but there again.
That's the way our sport is run.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 10:47
by Mucky1978
Kick them out of the league.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 10:54
by mart0042
Send a bit daft, especially as they will join the cup later and might get home draws. Personally all clubs should be entered and if they pull out or refuse to play, then fine them.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 14:43
by derbystiger
It should be a condition of playing in SL - they shouldn’t have a choice but to play in the Challenge Cup. It gives them more rest weekends etc.. and creates an unfair playing field. I probably sound harsh here but, if they don’t play in the cup they don’t play in SL - put them back in the Championship until they become members of the RFL and adhere to the same rules as the rest of us.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 15:12
by Tamworth Tiger
The other issue for me is that the Challenge Cup is one of the few opportunities to showcase our sport on the national stage. It’s ironic that a so called expansion club ( even a French one) doesn’t want to do it’s bit to help sell the sport.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 15:52
by Altofts tiger25
So if Tolouse are not rfl members how does the playing squad work?
I thought all pro contracts had to be registered with rfl?

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 16:14
by FIat Capper
I would assume they are some kind of associate member linked to through the French RL organisation but either way, it does seem ridiculous that they are not required to participate in all competitions.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 19:07
by jackknife
Altofts tiger25 wrote: 11 Nov 2021, 15:52 So if Tolouse are not rfl members how does the playing squad work?
I thought all pro contracts had to be registered with rfl?
Are catalan members of the RFL? Do they get the funding same as rest of clubs.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 19:16
by alftupper
derbystiger wrote: 11 Nov 2021, 14:43 and creates an unfair playing field.
you watch a sport that operates loop fixtures as part of its regular season then suggest teams pulling out of the Challenge Cup creates an unfair playing field??

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 11 Nov 2021, 21:36
by derbystiger
alftupper wrote: 11 Nov 2021, 19:16
derbystiger wrote: 11 Nov 2021, 14:43 and creates an unfair playing field.
you watch a sport that operates loop fixtures as part of its regular season then suggest teams pulling out of the Challenge Cup creates an unfair playing field??
I can’t ever remember saying I thought any different about loop fixtures - they are ridiculous too

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 12 Nov 2021, 09:47
by Ken Smith
The alternative is to include them in the draw as an away side and if they refuse to play give their opponents a walkover.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 12 Nov 2021, 09:47
by Ken Smith
The alternative is to include them in the draw as an away side and if they refuse to play give their opponents a walkover.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 12 Nov 2021, 10:43
by noxandrattles
Ken Smith wrote: 12 Nov 2021, 09:47 The alternative is to include them in the draw as an away side and if they refuse to play give their opponents a walkover.
Another easy pass for whinos?

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 12 Nov 2021, 21:41
by lurcher
don't they have to pay some kind of bond for if they get to wembley due to low numbers expected to attend.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 13 Nov 2021, 12:11
by scottiger
mart0042 wrote: 11 Nov 2021, 10:54 Send a bit daft, especially as they will join the cup later and might get home draws. Personally all clubs should be entered and if they pull out or refuse to play, then fine them.
When they have to foot all the costs I can understand tbh . RFL need to be better.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 14 Nov 2021, 09:24
by jackknife
lurcher wrote: 12 Nov 2021, 21:41 don't they have to pay some kind of bond for if they get to wembley due to low numbers expected to attend.
Yea i seem to remember this been an issue.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 14 Nov 2021, 12:18
by casjunction
I can understand the commercial logic from Tolouse's point of view but l know folk will say you shouldn't rely on away support but when it's a business the away supporters revenue is perhaps a bonus but a very welcome one all the same.
I remember going to Perpignan quite some time ago and talking with a local official and the away support is or was a boost to local economy to the tune of € 5,000,000.
We all know how many away fans attend Catalan and similar will l am sure occur with Tolouse.
So they are happy to take that income.
Where as their travelling support wouldn't even fund a lock on the loo door.
Imagine if Wolfpack were still in Super League plus more expansion clubs.
The dream and the reality consequences have never been thought through.
No surprises there.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 15 Nov 2021, 11:09
by mart0042
scottiger wrote: 13 Nov 2021, 12:11
mart0042 wrote: 11 Nov 2021, 10:54 Send a bit daft, especially as they will join the cup later and might get home draws. Personally all clubs should be entered and if they pull out or refuse to play, then fine them.
When they have to foot all the costs I can understand tbh . RFL need to be better.
They know the deal with the challenge cup, it should be a stipulation of joining. You compete or let someone else and forfeit your place in the whole game.

The RFL have no idea. They prove it quite regularly. Big fines for some teams, small for others. I submit the difference in punishment between Cas and Fev, one had multiple offences and got less. Also the covid cancellation, some got fined and the points given to the other team, some (Leeds who refused to travel to Catalans and saints breaking covid rules) got no or little fine. Strange decisions but hey ho.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 13 Feb 2022, 10:36
by Brummietiger
Enjoyed the Lock Lane game yesterday in very challenging conditions, they can hold their heads high. Also enjoyed watching the Navy vs York Acorns after watching their previous round game against the army. They soaked up some intense line pressure yesterday in the 2nd half and then came back strongly for the final 10. Don't think they've reached this far before but stand corrected. Looking forward to watching their next round game at Batley Bulldogs (if televised), will be interesting to see how they get on, might be worth an outside bet for those that like a little flutter on the dark horse.

Re: Challenge Cup 2022

Posted: 13 Feb 2022, 14:46
by tigerfeat
Didn't realise York Acorn were in it still I remember going to watch them when my son played for them it was always 50-50 wether they would have enough players to go ahead with the match in them days