: Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:36 pm  

I believe I read somewhere that Toulouse were allowed 5 Aussies this year but had to reduce it to 2 next year. Anyone know if this is correct?

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:57 pm  

Maximus Decimus wrote:

I see what you're saying about the depth of French players but with an extra team these will come. I feel Toulouse are necessary to keep the ball rolling in France and to provide Les Cats with a derby.

They shouldn't go in just because they are in France but they are good enough in my opinion. They will be a damn sight better prepared than the Crusaders.

People forget it is a European Super League and as a sport we need to expand. A strong France would be great for Northern Hemisphere RL. We need to concentrate on our own bids and from a Widnes point of view we are far enough ahead of other existing teams without having to worry about Toulouse.

Toulouse are near the bottom of the Championship table so how are they 'ready'???

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:00 pm  

Fax4Life wrote:

Toulouse are near the bottom of the Championship table so how are they 'ready'???

They have another two years and they weren't adequately prepared this season having played no friendlies.

Plus they are an expansion club, they are not likely to be as ready as existing clubs and we shouldn't expect them to be.

Plus you will find I said 'good enough' and not 'ready' don't try and put words in my mouth.

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:02 pm  

Fax Machine wrote:

I believe I read somewhere that Toulouse were allowed 5 Aussies this year but had to reduce it to 2 next year. Anyone know if this is correct?

This is correct but of course they are full of Australians so don't believe the actual truth.

: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:55 am  

Maximus Decimus wrote:

This is correct but of course they are full of Australians so don't believe the actual truth.

They had Bromley, Mitchell, Worth & Timothy Wynn against us. We had TKL, Gannon & Webster. Halifax have Black, Wilson & Watene.

Seems to me the main difference is all our overseas players are off quota now.

: Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:15 pm  

Looks like they are going to recruit good players for next year:

Carlos Mendes (centre/winger from Lyon, France A)
Yohan Tisseyre (second row from Lezignan, French national team)
Cyrile Stacul (winger from the Dragons, French national team)
Herve Marrot (winger from Limoux, best scorer of the team)

I would expect some more. The wings were their weakest point. I'd bet they will compete for the two top spots next year.

: Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:07 pm  

lpage wrote:

Looks like they are going to recruit good players for next year:

Carlos Mendes (centre/winger from Lyon, France A)
Yohan Tisseyre (second row from Lezignan, French national team)
Cyrile Stacul (winger from the Dragons, French national team)
Herve Marrot (winger from Limoux, best scorer of the team)

I would expect some more. The wings were their weakest point. I'd bet they will compete for the two top spots next year.

Probably better to take this over to the Toulouse forum, but I can't see those signings scaring the top teams too much, although I agree they strengthen the wing positions where they've been weak this year.

Mendes is a very big lad with a lot of potential but his defence isn't the best right now. Marrot has a reputation for not taking his rugby too seriously - missed pre-season training so he could take part in the village fete last summer. Yoan Tisseyre had a couple of trial games with Widnes academy last year; big strong feller with a lot of aggression but didn't do enough for Widnes to take it any further. Still feel they'll miss the tactical nous of the overseas players. Stacul should do well at this level though.

: Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:38 pm  

lpage wrote:

Looks like they are going to recruit good players for next year:

Carlos Mendes (centre/winger from Lyon, France A)
Yohan Tisseyre (second row from Lezignan, French national team)
Cyrile Stacul (winger from the Dragons, French national team)
Herve Marrot (winger from Limoux, best scorer of the team)

I would expect some more. The wings were their weakest point. I'd bet they will compete for the two top spots next year.

They need a proper pre-season next year. Playing catch up has clearly cost them dearly.