RFL in French connection

PROMOTION to National League One could see Oldham playing in south-west France next season.

Hot on the heels of the decision to award Salford and Celtic Crusaders three-year Super League licences, the RFL has confirmed that the French Federation has received an invitation to enter a side — in all likelihood, Toulouse Olympique, who were unsuccessful applicants to the top flight — into the competition in either 2009 or 2010.

Such a development has been mooted in previous seasons, before being put on the back burner due to cost implications.

But it is understood that the increased funds the RFL now has at its disposal due to the new deal with Sky Sports means that all travel, both for the French and existing National League One clubs, will be paid out of central finds.

While there are still a number of controversial issues to be worked through — possible exemption from relegation and the number of Australian imports being two of them — Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton welcomed the development.

“No doubt fans will like it as it provides novelty value,” he said. “The home and away games in France would provide different qualities to what we already have in the competition and it would create a lot of extra interest.

“The RFL feel that having another French team over here will help their game to get stronger and if it can’t be Super League, then the next level down in National League One.”

Should the French Federation take up the offer, it would mean that NL1, likely to be rebranded soon, would be expanded to feature 11 sides with 10 remaining in NL2.

Any French club would not take part in the Northern Rail Cup and the promotion/relegation system for this season remains intact. Three sides will go up from NL2 with one dropping down from NL1.

Meanwhile, Oldham are expecting the knee scan results for Jason Boults and Adam Robinson to come through today, while the squad trains tonight ahead of the National league Two home game against Keighley on Sunday.

The reserves are in action at Sedgley Park tonight in the last home game of the season against Widnes (7.30pm kick off).