Your knowledge of France leaves a little to be desired. No-one in northern France gives two hoots about rugby of either code, with the notable exception of Stade Francais who are the posh Parisien's alternative to the thugs of PSG. Northern France is all about football.

Not if that ash cloud as anything to do with it....







Seriously, if Wire and Catalans are paired together, it should be at Widnes or Barcelona......Taking it to London or Paris in front of a half empty stadium would just put another nail into the Challenge Cup coffin.

Wire V Catalan at Paris?



Wire fans can easily fly into Paris??

In today's league Express, Paris, Toulouse, Mille and Barcelona are all touted as possible venues.

Yep, unlike Yorkshire folk, on this side of the Pennines we're able to travel further than the next pit village, be it to watch a game or catch a flight.

OFFICIAL



DRAW FOR CC SEMI-FINAL



Saints v Wire @ JJB

Catalans v Leeds @ Paris



TO BE CONFIRMED BY RFL WEDNESDAY 1:30pm*



[size=50* saints v leeds - probably the best CC final that the rfl could wish for and stuff the other clubs[/size

Although i understand the sentiment in making it fair for catalans by having a semi final played in france i dont see what difference it would make to the team themselves. Either way they'll be flying over so i doubt an extra half hour or so on a plane will make a huge amount of difference. A semi over here would be a far beter money spinner for both clubs as the attendance will be much higher.



Admittedly it would be slighty better for the Catalans support but how much better really? A few quid difference flying on easyjet or something.

How would it look on the TV with only about 4k for a semi final? I reckon we'd take at most 2k over especially as, and i hate to say it but if we draw Catalans then there'll be quite a few people saving up for Wembley instead.

Warrington to Paris ~350 miles



Perpignan to Paris ~ 500 miles



So, whilst the intension is that it would 'benefit' the French side, they actually have to travel further.



Well that's the logic of the RFL......... perhaps

Bog mistake to play it anywhere but northern England IMO. In recent years, the emphasis has been on full stadiums and that seems the best way. I'll personally never forget the atmosphere for last seasons semi, which for me was the best in nearly 40 years of watching the Wire.

It shouldn't be the distance travelled that should concern the RFL, its how many fans actually bother going those distances.



Catalans fans - approx 500....Wire - approx 3,000....Neutrals in that part of France - approx 50.



Leaves a showpiece event like a Cup semi-final loking like an ill planned exhibition match. Is this what we want our Premier cup competition to become??



Whilst this is all still theoretical due to the fact the draw hasn't even been made yet, the fact remains that if we want this competition to retain any credibility, then any semi involving Catalans should either be in Barcelona, to benefit the Dragons's fans, or somewhere close to the English opponent, to benefit their fans.



Using loyal fans as a pawn in their desparate game to expand our sport should not be on the RFL's agenda.

i dont think the RFL would have to lancashire teams playing at the galpharm



if we get saints it could be , widnes , Boltons reebok stadium , Leigh sports village ,or DW stadium



If its leeds then it could be the galpharm depends who's drawn as the home side same with catalans

If being drawn out first got you "home" advantage in a Cup semi then the game would simply be played on your home ground. That has absolutely nothing to do with it.



If we draw Leeds I expect it to be in Huddersfield despite that being geographically closer to Leeds because it's also less than an hour from Warrington and will suit both teams fine. It's the obvious choice irrespective of who comes out the hat first.



I agree with those above who say the semi involving Catalans should be played in either Barcelona or within close proximity to their opponents. A completely neutral venue like London or Paris would simply ensure an embarrassingly low crowd. Barcelona or Leigh (if it's us or Saints) or Huddersfield if it's Leeds would all attract a five figure crowd. London or Paris would not.