With Catalans in the Grand Final and Toulouse and London bidding for Super League, Dave Woods ponders a seismic shift in rugby league's boundaries.
Catalans showed they know the secret to the matchday experience with their hosting of the play-off semi against St Helens
But just as significant is the promotion play-off game that takes place a day later when Toulouse entertain London Broncos in a play-off final for a place in next year's Super League. Nobody saw that coming. Perpignan is a rugby league outpost, not an expansion city. Witness the scenes at the Stade Gilbert Brutus last weekend where a full house provided an electrifying atmosphere as the DragonsAnd, this will be Catalans' second Grand Final - a second in three years. It makes their record better than every other English club, with the exception of St Helens, Wigan, Leeds, Bradford and Warrington.
Toulouse have coped with the travel requirements of playing hundreds of miles away from their rivals and could return to Super League in 2024Toulouse were tipped as possible rivals. But London? No, not a chance. What is different this time is that whoever comes up will not be automatically relegated at the end of next season.
Having a successful team in the capital was highlighted as vital by IMG in their assessment of what rugby league needed to grow its profile.
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