Toulouse will cross channel

PROMOTION to National League One next season would see Oldham compete with French club Toulouse Olympique, who have agreed to cross the channel to take part in the competition.

The Super League wannabes were put forward by the French Federation as candidates to fill the National League place offered up by the Rugby Football League.

Though they have yet to officially lodge their intentions with the RFL, a statement on the club's own website made it clear they were happy to accept the new arrangement, which will see Toulouse guaranteed an NL1 spot without the threat of relegation for three years from the 2009 season.

That time frame will be used in order to prepare a bid for a Super League in the next round of applications for the 2012 campaign onwards. The RFL is believed to be handing out financial assistance to both Olympique and other NL1 clubs to pay for the travel costs involved in the new arrangement.

"The board of directors, in agreement with its partners, has decided to respond positively to the proposal by the Rugby Football League, passed through the French Rugby Federation, and accept the franchise for National League One," read the statement.

"The (move) is a real springboard for the next Toulouse Olympique application for a Super League franchise from the 2011-12 season.

"Toulouse Olympique will, therefore, continue its aim to meet all the requirements of the specifications of the Super League, one of whose key points is the development of Arnaun Stadium."

Toulouse have now withdrawn from the French Elite league, due to get underway next month.

The club will not take part in next season's Northern Rail Cup and their introduction to NL1 means that a total of 11 clubs, including already-promoted duo Gateshead Thunder and Barrow Raiders, will feature in the game's second tier.