RFL deny Toulouse rumours

The Rugby Football League have denied rumours that Toulouse do not have to appear in a Grand Final to be eligible to apply for Super League.

Newspaper reports on Monday suggested that Toulouse had been told that they do not have to satisfy the on-field criteria – either winning the Northern Rail Cup or appearing in a Championship Grand Final – but the RFL say that this is not the case.

An RFL statement said: “The RFL has confirmed that Toulouse Olympique do need to appear in the 2010 Co-operative Championship Grand Final to earn the right to apply for a Super League licence from the 2012 season onwards.

“Contrary to some reports, the mechanism by which Toulouse can apply for a Super League licence remains unchanged from the position in 2008, when the last round of licensing was completed.

“Should they reach the Grand Final, Toulouse Olympique will also have to address factors that are not relevant to UK-based Championship clubs, including how a second French club can add to Super League.”