 Can Bawden help to make UTC competitive in Super League? |
French club Union Treiziste Catalane (UTC) have postponed their application to join Super League. The Perpignan-based outfit were given the chance to join England's top rugby league tier in 2005, subject to putting together a satisfactory business plan.
But UTC will now look to enter in 2006 at the earliest.
The club have recruited a number of English based players and will be given time to improve playing standards to ensure that they will be competitive.
An amalgamation of the old XIII Catalan and St Esteve teams, UTC recently appointed former Keighley coach Steve Deakin as their head coach.
And they have also taken on London Broncos' Australian prop Russell Bawden.
Super League chiefs are anxious to avoid a repeat of Paris St Germain's introduction.
That French side struggled through two years of Super League before the plug was finally pulled.
"All parties agree that this re-scheduling will provide a more sound timetable and is more likely to result in a successful outcome for UTC," said RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis.
"We are pleased that UTC have made progress thus far and the RFL will continue to work alongside them as they seek to develop the structure of their organisation."
UTC president Bernard Guasch said: "Following our discussions with the RFL and the Tetley's Rugby Super League clubs, we are happy to operate with this new timetable."
Halifax have continued their re-building with the signing of Australian utility player Pat Weisner from National League One rivals Leigh. The 21-year-old Weisner, who scored 93 points for the Centurions this year, is currently training with the NRL's Bulldogs in his native Sydney and will join up with Halifax on 5 January.
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We are happy to operate with this new timetable for entry into the competition