PAUL Crarey insists the RFL must do more to take player welfare into account over the scheduling of fixtures as his Barrow Raiders side prepare another trip to Toulouse Olympique in Saturday’s play-off final.

The demands being asked of part-time players in Kingstone Press League One have been in the spotlight again, particularly after the circumstances surrounding Toulouse’s 62-10 victory over York City Knights in the semi-finals last Saturday.

Having originally been set to travel with just the bare starting 13, the Knights ended up having to fly to Barcelona and then travel by bus to France with just 12 and eventually finished the match with only 10 players on the field after two were forced off due to injury.

Barrow have at least been able to have an extra few days to plan for the trip, yet it still necessitates players having to take time off work and face a gruelling schedule.

And, while the Raiders head coach does not apportion any blame to the French outfit, he believes the sport’s governing body has some serious issues to address – particularly with Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack joining the competition in 2017.

“I just think about player welfare,” said Crarey. “I think York had to travel somewhere to fly, land in Barcelona, travel from there and actually start the game with 12 men. All credit to them, they did it and I know James Ford (York head coach) wanted to play himself, but he wasn’t allowed to do it and all credit to him for doing that.

“We look at concussion, we look at all of these things, but if you send 12 players out against a full-time team in 30-degree heat after they’ve travelled all that way on a bus, there is something wrong with our game.

“That’s how I feel, but do you get into trouble for saying it? Probably, but that’s how I feel – and it’s nothing against Toulouse, because they don’t set the rules.”

There are rumours doing the rounds next season will revert to the top side going up automatically – something Crarey feels should have been in place anyway, which this year would have seen Toulouse go up as champions and the play-off final held in this country.

Indeed, Crarey is disappointed Barrow supporters will be unable to cheer his side on unless they are able to to make the trip to France for this weekend’s final at such short notice and feels their needs must be considered by the RFL as well.

“I’d like us to play in a final with half of the town being able to support us somewhere in England,” said Crarey.

“That’s what’s good for rugby league and to take that away from these people who have supported us all year – this town would travel in droves to watch us in a play-off final if it was anywhere in this country – is a travesty, I feel.

“It’s got to be looked at because the fans keep this game alive.

“Money doesn’t keep it alive, the fans do, so do it for them.

“Put the game on in this country so everybody who has got an interest in rugby league in this country can come and watch it.

“That’s just my opinion and I just think that’s the way the game is going.”

The Raiders Bar will be open at noon on Sunday for supporters to meet the players after the Toulouse match – win or lose.

All fans are welcome and can bring their Raiders memorabilia to be signed by the players.