St.Jimmy.
Never heard that before, so thanks for your contribution. But allow me to point out the Vichy Government only operated at the time of the Nazi occupation of France from 1940-44.
Interesting to read that these right wing collaborators believed that Rugby League had socialist links and would corrupt French youth. Rugby was the beneficiary in terms of French League funds and playing facilities.
It certainly was.
From memory, the code was banned by the Vichy Government but I’m happy to be corrected regarding the era.
Could’ve sworn it was the 50s.
I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that such was the popularity of RL in France, clubs were being created at some crazy ratio at the expense of their rugby rivals. The aforementioned ban also included the prohibition of the word rugby in describing the sport, and I think this absurd imposition was only lifted afte a long period.
Little known fact: the French is the last side to defeat Australia in a three Test series (1978).