If Rugby Union wasn’t so powerful in the international game, it would be on the same level rugby league is. Why Rugby Union is so powerful is because they’ve got leagues in countries and strong leagues. They produce there own players who can play for the national team and support there own people. Rugby league hasn’t got that. That’s why it will never compete with Union on a world wide scale. Also you add in the fact most of Union clubs in this country are based down south where most of the media is based.
It need to expanded to 16 teams at least in this country. They aren’t playing enough games as it is. Some of these clubs are running there business on 13 days of the year and they are wondering why they are struggling for money. You can’t bring Toulouse in because they are in so much debt as it is. The isn’t another club with a set up or finances to be playing over here every other week. Best option is to build there league up like you said. To be fair, there is also a huge political movement to stop league from growing in France too. It’s been happening since the 1940’s.
