Toulouse Olympique shine in Super League but French TV misses out
Toulouse finished eighth in only their second Super League season on half funding, yet French fans have had no TV coverage of the competition all year.
Toulouse Olympique finished eighth in Super League in their second season in the top flight, on half the central funding. Yet few French sports fans have seen them play. Journalist Esteban Raña says the league has had no television presence in France this year.
«There has been no Super League on French TV all season,».
Rugbyrama live-streamed the matches of the French clubs, but the streams sit deep on its website. The deal covered only Toulouse and Catalans Dragons, Raña said. That meant no Good Friday derbies, no playoffs, no Grand Final and, at present, no World Cup. French viewers missed Warrington beating Hull KR, and Wakefield reaching a historic semi-final at Belle Vue.
Toulouse finished above Catalans for the first time in 25 years, on points difference only. A rumour that IMG would rank them 14th and relegate them has been quashed. Shane Richardson, the NRL head of strategy, says the aim is to build rugby league's presence in France. Toulouse coach Sylvain Houles had reportedly threatened to quit the sport if London Broncos replaced his side next season.
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