Toulouse Olympique boss Sylvain Houles had some strong words to say regarding the current IMG ranking system, after his team’s fate were left in the hands of the governing body, despite winning the Championship Grand Final.
The Olympians defeated York Knights in the second tier finale, putting an end to the Knights’ 20-game winning run and claiming the title for themselves, as Jake Shorrocks kicked five penalty goals to secure a 10-8 victory.
However, that achievement wasn’t enough to secure them promotion, at that point, and due to the change to 14 Super League teams, which was announced in July, Toulouse had to rely on IMG rankings to initially see if they would be included in the top flight.
After finishing 13th, they were denied an automatic spot in the competition, which meant they had to be selected by the independent panel, chaired by Lord Caine, in which they were successful.
Reflecting on those days in October when their Super League status was, at that point, an unknown, boss Houles described how strange a feeling it was when the club’s fate was out of their hands.
“It was a bit weird, to be honest,” he said, speaking to Serious About Rugby League at the Super League media launch.
“Having won [the Championship Grand Final], it was massive, because it was a massive achievement for our team. What we went through all season, the hard work, the policies, the changes, the goals I set the team.
“On that day, it was a massive moment that we will never forget, and for the players, too.
“A few days after, you’re then like ‘what are we going to do?’ ‘Where are we at?’ ‘Are we up?’ But, knowing we were in Super League was a massive relief.
“We’ve said it before, but I don’t think we would be in the English competition if we weren’t in Super League.”
On the IMG ranking system as a whole, and whether it is a fair way to promote and relegate clubs, he said:
“It depends. It’s a mix of both. I still think they are good, because it’s a way forward to improve clubs, and improve structure.
“Communication, marketing, all of that, fanbase, but it’s a weird feeling when you’re part of it and you don’t know where you’re going.”
Toulouse Olympique boss explains club’s decision to opt out of Challenge Cup
For what will be the ninth season in a row, Toulouse have decided to not partake in the Challenge Cup this year, and Houles gave a brief and honest answer as to why their chose to withdraw.
“Money,” he said with a chuckle. “It just comes down to this.
“We need to pay for everything and it’s down to paying again for an extra week and if we win, another week, so it just comes down to money.”
Asked if he could see Toulouse in the Cup at some point in the future, he responded:
“Depends if we have to pay for everything. As it is, we have to pay for everything.”
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