Aude Pays Cathare Rugby XIII announce first fixture against the Catalan Dragons
French Rugby League took a huge step forward today with the announcement of the first fixture for Chevaliers Cathares. The Cathares are an elite side composed of three of Frances most successful clubs: Lezignan, Carcassone and Limoux all based in the countrys Aude (11) department.
Nestled between the big cities of Perpignan, Toulouse and Montpellier, the Aude region is one of Frances strongest and longest standing Rugby League regions. The region provided four of Frances 17 man squad for their inaugural tour which saw them take on Wigan, London Highfield, Leeds, an RFL Selection at Warrington, Hull (the first ever victory for a France XIII) and Salford, lead by captain and dual code international Jean Galia. And perhaps more importantly the Carcassonne club gave birth to Frances greatest rugby league star the enigmatic Full-Back; Puig Aubert renowned for dropping goals from his own half, drinking large quantities of pastis and smoking cigarettes, sometimes on the rugby field.
Whilst todays announcement had a slightly more professional feel, it was with a view to joining Europes professional and elite Rugby League competition in Super League. The joint venture has at the root of its targets; joining neighbouring Catalan Dragons in Europes premier competition. The three towns whilst small, together could be have a powerful and passionate collective fan base should they achieve their long-term goals.
For the meantime it is the intention that the three clubs shall continue to persevere with their own Elite 1 campaigns for this season and for the foreseeable future, whilst playing occasionally against touring representative sides.
They will face the Dragons in 2015 at Carcassones Stade Domec in a match being marketed as Le Défi (The Challenge) which will take place on the 24th of January.