Are you for real. He could dominate France even more so than UK/Ireland if he wished. UK/Ireland is the best jumps racing in the world.
Mullins is in a different league. It might take him a few years to get going in France, but I’m sure he’ll understand quite fast what’s needed to win the big races at Auteuil or Compiègne and maybe Fontainebleau. Looking at the yesterday’s Grand Steeple field I have to say it was full with course specialists, but none of them would get close to a prime GDC or GW.
Apart from that, if Townend would be just another journeyman without Willie, what about the rest? It took Jack Kennedy ages to stay healthy for one entire NH season and he did well under the circumstances, but who else is there in IRE who’d come close to Townend? There is Bowen in GB, but he is no big race jockey. The only British jockey gaining ground on PT is most likely Harry Skelton.