'Relegate bottom team' Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont's Hull FC dig and Toulouse promoted reveal
Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has implied that Toulouse Olympique will be a Super League side next year and says whoever finishes bottom this season should be relegated. The French club, currently playing in the Championship, are understood to be contenders for a place in the top flight next year through the IMG grading criteria.
Toulouse placed tenth in the indicative grading table last year, placing above the likes of Wakefield Trinity, Leigh Leopards and Castleford Tigers. Since then, they have kept a low profile with regards to their aspirations for 2025, but many believe that they are essentially competing with Castleford Tigers for the final spot in Super League next season.
Toulouse, who played in Super League during the 2022 season, missed out on a return last season after losing to London Broncos in the Million Pound Game. However, their grading last year has left many believing they will be back next year. That includes Beaumont, who posted on X suggesting they will join Catalans Dragons in the top flight next year.
Replying to a post, Beaumont said: "Let’s not also forget that we will also be bringing another French team into the league and providing 1/6 of the sports money outside our country! Which team will be relegated to accomplish that or not promoted. I am safe on IMG scoring but would not stay up if I finished bottom!"
Beaumont was posting after commenting on Hull FC's defeat to London Broncos. The Black and Whites and the Leopards have had something of a war of words in recent weeks over the handling of John Asiata's move amid talk of Adrian Lam, Oliver Holmes and Zak Hardaker all joining the club too.
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Beaumont suggested the Black and Whites had let players leave as they knew they would be in the competition next year regardless of their league performance.
He posted: "I know let’s relegate a team that’s trying their heart out and has just beat a team that’s got rid of their players thinking they are safe as a grade A Club. A great example of why IMG scoring don’t work in this format! Let’s stand up for the game and insist on relegating the bottom team whoever that is!"