BY JOHN DAVIDSON

Toulouse Olympique say change is needed in rugby league and they continue to support IMG’s plans to transform the sport.

A majority vote was achieved in Huddersfield of the RFL Council in favour of IMG’s club grading criteria.

Toulouse were not allowed to vote at the meeting, but club CEO Cedric Garcia was pleased with the result.

“To be honest, I was a little bit surprised in such a positive vote,” he told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.

“I thought it would be lower, but I’m very happy. Change is needed. Sky is the main financial partner for rugby league and they asked for change.

“I like IMG’s professional approach and the way they deal with things in depth. They have a clear plan.

“I am convinced if you have 12, 14, 16 grade A clubs in Super League it will better stadiums and more eyeballs on the sport and a better on-field product.

“They are giving us a plan for the future. It’s a fantastic result. IMG were a bit worried what would happen [at the meeting].”

Asked if it was fair that the French club was unable to vote on plans that would directly affect them, Garcia replied: “I don’t like to go into that.

“In these kinds of decisions that impact, it would have been good to be part of the vote. But we’ve been involved. Our opinion has been valued.

“The vote went the way we would have wanted. We are on the same page as Catalans.

“The sport has to get behind IMG.”