French News

[adamkungl]

Players need to go public with what they feel is not being delivered by the FFR

 

[Foreign Legion]

The Elite 1 Championship gets underway with the French Magic Weekend in Carcassonne this Saturday and Sunday (Nov 16/17).

We take a look at the 10 teams involved.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...e-1-championship-club-by-club-season-preview/

ALBI

Albi take on Villeneuve in their opener, which kicks-off at 3.30pm (local time) at the Stade Albert Domec on Sunday.

Prop Nicolas Bertolas has returned to the club following a stint with West Wales Raiders, while they have recruited hooker or half back Jack Cook and back-rower Kirk Murphy from Tweed Heads Seagulls in Australia.

Their most familiar name is forward Levy Nzoungou, who was released from the final year of his contract at Hull at the end of the Super League season, and has decided to return to France, where he started his career with Toulouse.

Another player to have tried his hand in the English game is Maxime Garcia, 21, who had a stint at Sheffield Eagles and played for Spain in their World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Italy recently.

Coach Joris Canton said: “(The goal is) sixth place and make sure that the team plays with a system in place. A lot of things have changed in terms of the game system and players, so it’s not easy, but we have an interesting group with good young people integrated.”

Coach: Joris Canton

Last season: 5th

Notable players: Levy Nzoungou, Maxime Garcia, Nicolas Bianchini

Ins: Cousinie, Cance (both Lescure), Cook, Murphy (both Tweed Heads Seagulls), Grabulos (Limoux), Lardot (Palau), Bianchini (Toulouse), Franco (Carcassonne), Bertalos (West Wales), Nzoungou (Hull)

Outs: Ousty (Villeneuve), Carensac (Realmont), Denis, Ballinger, Ueue, Benhamimed (all free agents), Bienes (Carcassonne), Tabu (Villeneuve), Denis (Lescue).

Albi squad: Carivenc, Thibault Cousinié, Dupuy, Estruga, Garcia, Mazars, Molinier, Rodrigues, Bertolas, Ngouzou, Cook, Murphy, Grabulos, Lardot, Andral, Deburghgraeve, Cancé, Grant, Guinguet, Pedrero, Spina, Franco, Tailhades, Fabre, Lescouzères, Bianchini, Juarez.

AVIGNON

Avignon were champions in 2018 but had a difficult 2018/19 season, finishing in a lowly 8th place.

Captain Olivier Arnaud is desperate to put that right this season and win some silverware.

He told TreizeMondial: “It is a good idea for all fans of the XIII to be able to follow a single day of the championship in the same place, and for the players do not miss his entry as this match is worth four points.

“A successful season for the club would be to finish in the top 4 with this very young group.

“For me, it would be to participate in all matches to coach the young and try to win a new title for the club.”

Coach: Renaud Guigue

Last season: 8th

Notable players: Olivier Arnaud

Ins: Naji (Carpentras), Payne (Mounties), Corona (free), Roupain (Entraigues)

Outs: Melhout (Villeneuve), Nicosia (Salon), Navarro (Entraigues), Tanginoa (stop)

Squad: Andreu, Arnaud, Bissiere, Clement, Comtat, Corona, Delor, Durandal, Emblard, Ganz, Ghanem, Jullien, Mallem, Mendy, Naji, Payne, Pourret, Rey, Romano, Roupain, Arnaud, Avis, Baudy, Demonte, Dorcehantz, Eliazord, Fages, Hugues

CARCASSONNE

Former Toronto and Leigh forward Jake Emmitt will lead the Carcassonne pack in to the 2019/20 season, after opting to leave the English game to try his hand in France.



A couple of others have followed his path, with Arnaud Bartes and Remy Marginet returning to their homelands following stints in the UK.

Other familiar faces in their squad include former Catalans forward Jean-Philippe Baile, fearsome ex-Toulouse prop Bastien Canet and Papua New Guinea winger Garry Lo.

Hooker Matthieu Khedimi told TreizeMondial: “I think it’s great to start on a Magic Weekend, it’s a big party that marks the beginning of the championship!

“To beat Saint-Esteve is not to remain spectator of their game made of speed and displacements of the ball. We must engage in a tough fight, do not give ammunition on which they can create their rhythm and control their package of fronts that serves as a launching pad at their back.”

Coach: Patrick Alberola

Last season: 1st

Notable players: Garry Lo, Jake Emmitt, Jean-Philippe Baile

Ins: Delgado, Artiga (both VARL), Pallares (Toulouse), Bienes (Albi), Malfaz (Beziers XV), Bouregba (Lezignan), Emmitt (Leigh), Pellow (Wests), Benet (Ille)

Outs: Bourrell (Rochdale), Talieu (Pamiers), Cartier (VARL0, Anderson (free), Franco (Albi), Tumusa (Australia), Domergue (Palau).

Squad: Pellow, Franco, Talieu, Escamilla, Lo, Edline, Tost, Bauer, Albert, Benet, Alberola, Pallares, Zava, Domergue, Tetart, Leveille, Anderson, Emmitt, Agullo, Soum, Khedimi, Djalout, Baile, Escamilla, Sabri, Sadaoui, Canet, Costelloe

LEZIGNAN

According to the French press, Lezignan enter the Elite 1 Championship as the joint biggest spenders as champions St Esteve, with a budget of €800,000.

They include a sprinkling of players that have turned out in Super League for Catalans, including pacey full back Damien Cardace, back-rower Cyril Stacul and hooker Charles Bouzinac.

2015 Euro Championship – French Team & Players
Coach: Nicolas Manessi

Last season: 3rd

Notable players: Sebastien Martins

Ins: Marginet (Newcastle), Bartes (St Esteve), Boudebza (St Esteve), Leapai (Woden Valley Rams), Martins, Noema-Matenga (Burleigh)

Outs: Amila (retired), Gregorius (Brisbane), Bouregba (Carcassonne), Tisseyre (Cronulla), Jamil (Montpellier), Fakir (Palau)

Squad: Albert, Bartusiak, Benausse, Bonneriez, Bousquet, Bouzinac, Cardace, Costes, Ferret, Gouzy, Miloudi, Ors, Sarda, Stacul, Tort, Tovena, Tribillac, Leary, Barthes, Leapai, Marginet, Boudezba, Noema-Matenga.

LIMOUX

Nine-time champions Limoux are a good example of a developing Elite 1 club that is trying to make improvements on and off the field. They have restructured their sports and administrative operations, and have recuited well in signing Brad Wall from St Gaudens and Lasarusa Tabu from Albi, adding to former Wigan prop Eddy Pettybourne.

 

[Foreign Legion]

Limoux loose Mickael Rouch told TreizeMondial: “We are ready, we can not wait to resume the matches. We trained hard all the offseason for that. For us it does not change a game is a match and you have to win.

“It will be important for us not to rush and be disciplined. The first games are sometimes a bit difficult because we do not have all the automation at the end of the season. We will have to increase the communication during the match.

“The goals that have been predefined are clear: win at least one title for this new season 2019/2020. I think we have the means with the quality of the group.”

Coach: Maxime Greseque

Last season: 4th

Notable players: Zac Santo, Mickael Rouch

Ins: Santo, Nona (both Townsville), Murphy (North Sydney), Flovie (Palau), Bourrel (Rochdale)

Out: Murcia (retired), Teixido (unattached), Pena (Pia), Lasvenes (Villeneuve), Atba (Palau)

Squad: Barbaza, Belmaaziz, Beteille, Garrouste, Gonzalez-Trique, Lasvenes, Mayans, Mickaelzyk, Mingaud, Murcia, Peault, Puso, Rouch, Teixido, Torreilles, Torres, Vergniol, Yesa, Stig, Loko, Noki, Santo, Murphy, Nona

PALAU

France international hooker John Boudebza, who had spells at Hull KR and London Broncos, is the captain at Palau Broncos, providing some consistency to their line-up despite several changes on and off the field.



He told TreizeMondial: “Yes many changes the club is structured from year to year, the club has ambitions. I had a good time last season so naturally I stayed at the club.

“It’s a championship game with a little more value because the victory costs four points against three in the league.”

Coach: Olivier Elima

Last season: 7th

Notable players: Jamil Fakir, Ben Pomeroy, John Boudebza

Ins: Castany (St Esteve), Jamil, Fakir (both Lezignan), Belkhiri (Baho), Domergue (Carcassonne), Pomeroy (St Esteve), Berdu (Pia), Atba (Limoux), Grau (unattached)

Outs: Sigismeau (FLHV XV), De Oliveria (Pia), Lardot (Albi), Flovie (Limoux), Scimone (Pia), Castaillet (Baho), Jimenez (Villefranche), Meye (Pia)

Squad: Bernard, Bonillo, Boudebza, Boudebza, Carrere, Doutres, Herrero, Janicot, Madani, Nietche, Rosemplatt, Sebeas, Theresin, Fakir, Pomeory, Domergue, Belkhiri, Jamil, Castany, Berdu, Atba, Grau

ST GAUDENS

It’s a new look St Gaudens under new coach Julien Gerin, who replaces the long-serving Gilles Dumas. They have brought in three rookies from Down Under, while former Hull KR forward Thibault Franck is also included.

But they have lost Brad Wall and Damien Wastjer, as well as top performer Nathan Leatigaga.

Coach: Julien Gerin

Last season: 9th

Notable players: Jack Wilshere, Thibault Franck

Ins: Wilshere, Delage (both Toulouse), Medjebeur (Gruissan XV), Bellardi (USEP), Franck (unattached), Masuaute (Pia), Freeman (South Newcastle), Keenan (Western Suburbs), Green (Manly)

Outs: Wall (Villeneuve), Laetigaga (Australia), Wastjer, Telai, Bousquet (both Toulouse)

Squad: Anger, Anger, Arreou, Barat, Benyamina, Berra, Caparros, Chanet, Coyle, Dumas, Marsand, Moliner, Quemener, Sentenac, Stefani, Talazac, Trescasa, Vizcay, N Wall, Green, Wilshere, Delage, Medjebeur, Bellardi, Franck, Masuaute, Freeman, Keenan

ST ESTEVE

As the reserve side to Catalans Dragons, St Esteve have a very youthful feel to their side, with plenty of players no doubt harbouring ambitions of reaching Super League.

They can draw on the experience of their assistant coach, former Dragons and Australia forward Greg Bird, and a handful of players have had some Super League exposure, including forward Ugo Perez who has played eight times for the Dragons as well as having loan spells at Whitehaven and Toulouse.

Super League – Catalans v Hull KR – Saturday 31 August
The son of former NRL and Super League forward Alex Chan, Tiaki Chan, is in the St Esteve squad too. The 19-year-old moved over from Sydney in 2017 and has been playing for the Dragons academy against Super League Under 19s sides.

Coach: Benoit Albert

Last season: 2nd (Grand Final winners)

Notable players: Romain Mencarini, Ugo Perez, Joan Guasch

Ins: Bravo (Carpentras), Goffin (Villeneuve), Mekkaoui, Mencarini (both Baho)

Outs: Margalet (Ille), Rouge (Stop), Maria (Villeneuve), Bartes (Lezignan), Pomeroy (Palau), Bravo (Carpentras)

St Esteve squad: Ambert, Baby, Bled, Brochon, Carre, T Chan, J Chan, Cozza, Flovie, Franco, Goffin, Guasch, Jobe, Khedimi, Laguerre, Le Cam, Llong, Martin, Mekkaoui, Mencarini, Perez, Ribas, Salabio, Scimone, Vailhen, Zafra

TOULOUSE

With their primary focus reaching Super League, Toulouse’s second string side that participates in the Elite 1 Championship has struggled in recent years, finishing bottom in 2018/19.

They are now coached by former France international and Catalans Super League player Sebastien Raguin, who will be hoping to lean on the unused players from Sylvain Houles’ Championship squad.

They have brought in import hooker Damien Wastjer from St Gaudens and Spain international Romain Pallares, who had a spell with Hunslet in 2019.

Coach: Sebastien Raguin

Last season: 10th

Notable players:Kane Bentley

Ins: Laguerre (Salon), Bravo (Carpentras), Telai, Wastjer, Bousquet (all St Gaudens)

Outs: Wilshere, Delage (both St Gaudens), Pallares (Carcassonne), Bianchini (Albi), Reynaud (Montpellier)

VILLENEUVE

Joining Villeneuve as coach is 20-cap former France international Fabien Devecchi, who played in Super League for Paris St Germain in 1996 and 1997, before a brief spell at Widnes.

Former Wakefield hooker Pita Godinet is back for another season, and they are fancied to make a push for the top four.

The Samoa international arrived this week along with Niue international full-back Latrell Schaumkel, who has previously played in the NSW Cup for North Sydney Bears and Manly.

Coach: Fabien Devecchi

Last season: 6th

Notable players: Brad Wall, Eddy Pettybourne, Pita Godinet

Ins: Wall (St Gaudens), Maria (St Esteve), Schaumkel (Newtown), Melhout (Avignon), Lasvenes (Limoux), Tabu (Albi), Pettybourne (Capras), Sabour (West Wales)

Outs: Lafolafo (unattached), Borana (Villefranche), Goffin (St Esteve), Decarnin (US Tyrosse), Calic (Villefranche)

Squad: Tagne, Cremoux, Lasvesnes, Melhout, Brioux, Carrasco, Novais, Schaumkel, Bachoukh, Gautier, Villegas, Wall, Carrasco, Masselot, Nikolic, Pettybourne, El Azizi, Godinet, Ousty, Dubertrand, Fakir, Hermosilla, Njiensi, Maria.

INFORMATION

Where can I watch?

viàOccitanie, L’Indépendant and FFRXIII will broadcast live the five games of the Magic Weekend 2019 on their respective sites.

Magic Weekend fixtures
PALAU XIII 15H30 SO AVIGNON XIII
FC LEZIGNAN XIII 17H30 XIII LIMOUXIN
Sunday 17 November 2019
RC ST GAUDENS XIII 13H30 TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE
ALBI RUGBY LEAGUE 15H30 VILLENEUVE XIII RL
ST ESTEVE XIII CATALAN 17H30 CARCASSONNE XIII

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...e-1-championship-club-by-club-season-preview/

 

[Jim from Oz]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/11/16/french-player-determined-to-fulfil-nrlw-dream/

 

[Foreign Legion]

Catalans to host Roosters in Barcelona

Catalans Dragons will host a training camp in Barcelona for Sydney Roosters as the NRL champions prepare to take on St Helens in the World Club Challenge, report League Express.

The two clubs are hoping to get together in the Catalan capital in the week building up to the World Club Challenge at St Helens on February 22, according to League Express.
https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...-kopczak-warrington-want-samoa-international/

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/french-clubs-keen-to-return-to-challenge-cup/

Carcassonne and other French clubs are keen to participate in the Challenge Cup once again in future, if they can find the money to do so.

Many feel like an opportunity was missed when Catalans won the competition in 2018, with attention being placed on the RFL demanding a bond for the Dragons’ entry in 2019 due to fears over the impact on the crowd at Wembley should they make the final again.

The same demand resulting in the high-profile Toronto Wolfpack not participating, while Championship side Toulouse have decided not to enter in the last three seasons.

But with the French domestic season starting in November, meaning clubs are well placed to enter alongside amateur teams in the early rounds, the potential is there for further French clubs to enter.
The problem is simple – money. Estimates are it would cost around £20,000 for clubs to play a game in England, and those costs would repeat if they were to progress in the competition.

In a wide-ranging interview with Love Rugby League, Carcassonne co-manager Frederic Camel said: “Cost is the most important thing. At the moment, it is difficult to build a big club with a lot of money. We have to be careful with every euro.

“If you need to go to England one time, two times, three times, you need to prepare for that.

“I think maybe in two or three years we can do that.”

Carcassonne last played in the competition in 2013, losing 24-16 at Workington. They also played in 2009, losing 18-6 at Dewsbury.

Lezignan played for five consecutive years from 2008 until 2012, winning against Sheffield, Workington, Rochdale and Whitehaven during that period.

Limoux are another side to have registered wins, beating Gateshead and Halifax in 2004, before going down 80-20 to Wigan in front of 2,500 fans in France. They also won against London Skolars in 2010, attracting 2,000 fans to a home defeat against Leigh.

Pia played for seven straight seasons from 2003 until 2009, registering wins against Barrow, London Skolars, Keighley, Blackpool and Gateshead. They travelled to Wigan in 2008, losing 74-4.

Villeneuve won three games in 2001, before losing 32-0 in Warrington, and participated from 2000-2004.

St Gaudens played in 2000, 2002 and 2005, beating Keighley 24-0 in 2002 before going down to then Super League side Halifax.

Toulouse participated in 2016 and 2017 following their return to the RFL set-up, and previously participated in their previous stint between 2009 and 2011. In the 12 years from 2001 and 2013, only in 2004 did they not participate.

They declined an invitation to take part in 2020, as did Serbian side Red Star Belgrade, who caught the headlines by entering for the first time last season, losing to Millom.

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/off-the-record-rugby-league-rumours-and-gossip-190/
SBW wanted in France

Retired Warrington Wolves’ Super Bennie Westwood could be tempted out of retirement to play in the French Elite 2 competition for Villegailhenc.


The VARL club is led by Vinnie Anderson, a former team-mate of Westwood, and moves to the south of France are becoming increasingly attractive to players. Former Widnes Vikings winger Patrick Ah Van also had a stint at VARL last season.

 

[Foreign Legion]

They say the heartlands of rugby league are along the M62, but in the south of France there is a region people just as fiercely passionate about the greatest game in spite of a most turbulent past.

Rugby league was banned in France under the control of the Vichy government, starving it of its best teams, players and many of its assets, which still hamper the sport to this day.

Many fans in the UK carry a chip on their shoulder when it comes to rugby union, but in France they have a quite astonishing reason to despise the other code.

And still. Despite the setbacks, despite the financial woes, despite the quite often poor governance, “Rugby a Treize” survives.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––


The French Elite 1 Championship season got underway last weekend in Carcassonne, and their co-coach and manager Frederic Camel is infectiously passionate about the sport, and knowledgable too.

He is trying to have an impact not only at his club, but across the game in France too – which surely must be the most logical route for England to find genuine competition in the northern hemisphere.

Camel said: “Rugby league in Carcassonne is very important, it’s like the castle. We’re a very old team in the town, everybody knows it and loves the game.

“We see everything. We follow Super League, NRL. There are a lot of people in France, especially in Carcassonne who travel to England each year to see games. League is in the family. When you are born a leaguer, you stay a leaguer.”

WATCH: The best of the action from the French Magic Weekend

Camel’s father Francis is a president of the club, while his own sons, aged eight and four, are already playing the game.

Fred’s role at the club ranges from acting as player liaison, managing the player budget and recruiting, coaching the team at training and being pitchside on a match day, with co-coach and manager Patrick Alberola.

“We are not professional, we are semi-professional. We only have three professional players, but we have volunteers. We try to be as professional as we can, so a lot of people do a lot of things. But we love that. We take a lot of pleasure in doing that.

“We have four chairmen in the club and they are very involved, they work a lot. Sometimes they don’t sleep! We aim to have a budget of €1million in one or two years, and they work hard to get the staff and the players the best conditions.”

Carcassonne are operating off a budget of €780,000 for the 2019/20 season, with roughly €270,000 of that spent on players.

They are allowed three so-called expat players, which are players without French passports. Long-serving players, who stay in France for three years, come off the quota.

Papua New Guinea winger Garry Lo, Kiwi Tony Tumusa and Wales international Jake Emmitt are their three “expat” players for this season, with Emmitt making his debut in the opening day defeat to St Esteve.

A partnership with Renault sees the club with eight club cars, with their three professionals all put up in apartments in the centre of town.

Camel also spent time recently in Australia with Sydney Roosters, trying to pick up tips and experience that he wants to pass on not only to his own club, but across France.

Last week, two representatives from Elite 2 Championship club Lyon spent some time in Carcassonne to see their operations and coaching side, as the city club seek to return to Elite 1 in the not too distant future.

Camel added: “We must improve the French championship. The staff of Lyon came in to see how we work, including our game plans, tactics etc. Four of their players will come to us in December to train, and we will go to them after Christmas to help.

“I had a week with the Roosters and it was very interesting. I was made very welcome by all the staff, with Matt King, Trent Robinson and Craig Fitzgibbon.

“We can’t compare everything as of course their structures and facilities are amazing, but we can see that we are not too far off on the pitch, and that we are on the right path.”

READ: 13 familiar faces who played at the 2019 French Magic Weekend

As with most places in rugby league, the problem is money. Carcassonne and other French clubs need more sponsors and more media coverage, though they are boosted by their first free TV deal for 30 years, which will show 17 games across this season, including the four games at Magic Weekend.

The presence of Catalans Dragons in Super League hasn’t resulted in a windfall of promise for the game in France, even with their famous win at Wembley in 2018.

“Catalans do good things for rugby league in France but we can’t just wait for them to do things for us, we need to do things ourselves,” Camel continued.

“I think at the moment there is too much separation between the Dragons and the rest of France. There are some good things, and Catalans are professional it’s their jobs. If they get injured playing with the France national team, they can lose a contract or lose their pre-season, so it’s difficult.”

Questions have been asked over whether Catalans are doing enough to bring French players through, having made several signings from England in recent years, especially since the arrival of Steve McNamara as coach.

Tom Davies and Joel Tomkins have joined an ex-Wigan contingent that already includes Sam Tomkins, Lewis Tierney and Michael McIlorum, while former Widnes back-rower Matt Whitley is also in their ranks.

Camel believes that more French players deserve a chance, but need to be put in a full-time environment to realise their potential.

He said: “Tom Davies is a very good player, but I think we have good French players that can do that job.

“We have the players but they aren’t professional. It’s difficult for a guy to go to a job and then be like a Super League player.

“If you get him in the best condition, I’m pretty sure we can make Super League players. You have players like Paul Marcon, the Toulouse winger, I think he could play in Super League tomorrow.

“They are trying to develop with St Esteve (their reserve team that plays in Elite 1), with a lot of good players, so we will see in the future if they are on the right path.”

With Toulouse likely to enter the new Championship season as one of the favourites to gain promotion to Super League, it could be the optimum time for France to gain a second top flight club.

That, and even the recent signing by Toronto of Sonny Bill Williams, can help grow the game in France.

“If you have two teams in Super League, you have more players at the top level so that’s good for the French team and the game,” Camel added.

“Catalans need to win. If you want to have sponsors, if you want to exist, you must beat union clubs too, as there is a lot of competition.

“They need to win titles, they need to be in top four.

“It’s good for the media too. As we’ve seen with the signature of Sonny Bill Williams, a lot of rugby union guys say that they want to go and see Sonny Bill in Perpignan, or if there’s a game in Toulouse then they’ll be there. If the game is on TV, the French people love that.”

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/an-in-depth-insight-in-to-club-rugby-league-in-france/

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...nship-expansion-and-making-the-game-stronger/

The likes of Lyon and Toulon are key to plans to expand the French Elite 1 Championship to 14 teams.

The league currently contains 10 teams, including the respective reserve sides for Catalans (St Esteve) and Toulouse, who play in the English set-up.

Both Lyon and Toulon, who are coached by former Dragons winger Justin Murphy, are currently in the Elite 2 Championship.

With no automatic promotion currently in place between the two divisions, improving the infrastucture and finances for clubs outside the top flight is a priority.

READ: Six things to ponder after visiting rugby league in France

Lyon is the third biggest city in France with a population of 513,000, while Toulon is also well populated with 170,000, and boasts one of the country’s top rugby union sides.

Other cities expressing an interest in progressing up the French pyramid include Montpellier and Bordeaux, who recently started a women’s programme under the close eye of the football club.

Improving the domestic competition in France is seen as a greater priority than getting more clubs in to the English system, according to Carcassonne co-coach and manager Frederic Camel.

He said: “(England) is a possibility. But we must prove ourselves. We would like to help some teams to re-build in the (French) Championship and make our own league stronger.

“We have a partnership with Lyon to help them develop their club.

“We would like to have 14 teams in the division. That would be a good thing. Especially if we can incorporate big clubs. We would like Toulon, we hope they can come in to the first division in the next two or three years.

“Same as Lyon. We work with Montpellier too.

“For the moment, the project is to make the French league stronger.”

MUST READ: An in-depth insight in to club rugby league in France

The last time the Elite 1 Championship ran with more than 10 teams is when it had 11 in 2007/08.

Toulon Marlins, who were formed back in 2011, returned to the Elite 2 Championship ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Montpellier are nicknamed the Red Devils, a nod to the visit of Salford, who were the first club side to tour France back in the 1930s. They played in the Elite One Championship back in 2012, before suffering relegation and going bust, before a new club started in the third tier.

They currently play in National Division 2.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Yes. Much better than Super XIII pie in the sky.

 

[Walter sobchak]

I only think teams from cities like Lyon and Montpelier could succeed in the U.K. league structure.

The draw of super league could potentially attract high investment compared to elite1.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

I only think teams from cities like Lyon and Montpelier could succeed in the U.K. league structure.

The draw of super league could potentially attract high investment compared to elite1.

I think a better approach would be to continue building Elite 1 and some how play that competition off against League One in England. Like the QRL versus NSWRL. Possibly in a sort of champions cup setup.

I believe that would bring better crowds in both England and France.

 

[Getmefood]

I think a better approach would be to continue building Elite 1 and some how play that competition off against League One in England. Like the QRL versus NSWRL. Possibly in a sort of champions cup setup.

I believe that would bring better crowds in both England and France.

I was thinking along those lines. Although the winning team should be promoted to Championship. League 1 can be left for British & North American teams & the Elite 1 can be for the French & rest of Europe.. That would seem an ideal type of structure to accomodate future expansion clubs.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Good stuff...https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...by-league-in-frances-third-biggest-city-lyon/

 

[Foreign Legion]

Young French players Baptiste Fabre (Albi) and Cesar Rouge (Limoux) will fly to Melbourne to participate in a training camp with the Storm.

Former French Elite coach Laurent Garnier works for the Storm, and the young French players will be hoping to earn a deal and get the chance to play in Australia.

The latest from across the Channel in partnership with TreizeMondial.fr.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...-get-chance-at-melbourne-storm-training-camp/

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://treizemondial.fr/laurent-garnier-dans-la-duree-tout-le-monde-en-profitera/

hile Baptiste Fabre (Albi) and César Rougé (Limoux) will soon fly to Melbourne, Laurent Garnier (Academy Coach at Storm) looks back on the origin of the operation.

The bulk of the work is done with Dane Campbell, the Storm Recruitment Officer and Pathways Manager and myself.

The first step is watching videos. We watch a lot of matches, from U15 (to XIII and XV) to Elite 1. We are looking above all for talent which is the easiest thing to notice on a field anyway. Then we activate our connections in France. The next step is to get in touch with the player and his parents.

Many people involved in French Rugby XIII know what they are talking about and have young people's interests first. In the long run, everyone will benefit from it for sure.

After Ismael Motuku and Ephraim Niutupéa from New Caledonia, it is therefore Baptiste and César who join us in January. We must already take our hat off to these young French players and their families. Their passion for our rugby and the sacrifices already made to get there are remarkable.

With Dane, we are convinced that French players put in the right environment can become what they have decided to become.

Julien Castagnet

 

[Coastbloke]

Fantastic development. Well done Storm.

 

[Coastbloke]

On you tube yesterday I saw a SBS news story from the 2017 RLWC where Andrew Johns helped out. They actually put a bit of research into the story. The commercial channels wouldn't have touched it...Well worth a look..

 

[Walter sobchak]

Young French players Baptiste Fabre (Albi) and Cesar Rouge (Limoux) will fly to Melbourne to participate in a training camp with the Storm.

Former French Elite coach Laurent Garnier works for the Storm, and the young French players will be hoping to earn a deal and get the chance to play in Australia.

The latest from across the Channel in partnership with TreizeMondial.fr.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...-get-chance-at-melbourne-storm-training-camp/

Excellent work by the Melbourne storm. Didn’t levy n’zongu spend a season with the storm u20’s a few years back also?

I can remember reading that Warrington wolves have taken a French kid on trial too.

 

[Walter sobchak]

The French kid on triall at Warrington is forward yanis belmaaziz.https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/18097191.warrington-wolves-take-french-youngster-trial/