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After experiencing one of the darkest chapters in the game’s history, rugby league is ready for a renaissance in France.
On the back of the Catalans Dragons’ entry into Super League and an ever-improving domestic competition, Treize XIII is now the second fastest growing sport in the country.
Increasing its popularity in the southern heartlands, French rugby league is on the rise and the national team has a chance to once again shine on the grandest stage of all.
France Chanticleers
RLIF World Ranking: 4
Best Result: Runner Up (1954, 1968)
2008 Finish: 10th
2013 RLWC Odds: $251
France has a rich involvement in rugby league history and the national side has appeared at every World Cup since the very first in 1954. The RLWC itself was an initiative developed by the French, who had been campaigning for the World Cup to take place since 1935.
As president of rugby league in France at the time, Paul Barriere pioneered the concept and in 1953 he gained full support from the International Board who announced that the first ever Rugby League World Cup would be held in France the following year.
On the 13th of November in 1954, the final was played at the Parc des Princes in Paris, where 30,000 people witnessed Great Britain defeat France 16-12 and gain the inaugural bragging rights as world champions.
Rugby league’s relationship with France also has a dark past, having experienced a wretched time under the Vichy regime.
The situation that unfolded has been well documented and prior to it occurring, there were actually more rugby league clubs in France than the other rugby code.
Despite the setback, the 1950s and 1960s are looked back upon as golden eras for French rugby league.
The Chanticleers reached the final of the World Cup in both 1954 and 1968 playing with such flair that the brand of football they displayed is still revered to this very day.
The French have never been crowned world champions, nor have they reached the penultimate stage since 1968 – something the 2013 squad will be looking to change.
Team Line-Up (likely)
1. Clint Greenshields
2. Frederic Vaccari
3. Jean Philippe Baile
4. Vincent Duport
5. Damien Cardace
6. Thomas Bosc
7. Theo Fages
8. Olivier Elima (c)
9. Eloi Pelissier
10. Remi Casty
11. Antoni Maria
12. Jamal Fakir
13. Gregory Mounis
14. William Barthau
15. Kevin Larroyer
16. Mickael Simon
17. Benjamin Garcia
Squad Members: Morgan Escare, Younes Khattabi, Sebastian Raguin, Cyral Stacul, Tony Gigot, Andrew Bentley, Kane Bentley
France will be looking for a much improved performance in this year’s World Cup after a disappointing campaign in 2008. Following an opening game win against Scotland in Canberra, the Chanticleers were shell-shocked by a Fijian side that were destined for the semi-finals.
With a strong domestic competition and a French Super League team to choose from, coach Richard Agar has named a young yet talented squad.
The squad is one of the youngest in the tournament, but with 15 players chosen from the Catalans Dragons, there will be plenty of familiarity within the playing group. The Dragons connection will have a fair share of big game experience as well, having reached the Super League play-offs for the past three seasons.
Key Player
The superstar of French rugby league is Thomas Bosc.
A stalwart of the Catalan Dragons as well as the national side, Bosc has played at fullback and wing before making the transition to his current role in the halves. He was the previous skipper of the Dragons before handing the reigns to French teammate Gregory Mounis.
The experience of Bosc will be vital for the young Chanticleers, who will be looking for him and Theo Fages to guide the side along. The 21-year-old Fages has played a full season in the ESL for the Salford Reds and is looking like a star of the future.
The skipper Olivier Elima and his front row partner Remi Casty will also lay the platform for France in the forwards. Casty is one to watch for Australian league fans, having just signed a two-year deal with NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters.
Group B Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Papua New Guinea @ Craven Park, Hull. Kick-Off – Mon 28th Oct 3am AEDT
Vs New Zealand @ Parc Des Sports, Avignon. Kick-Off – Sat 2nd Nov 6am AEDT
Vs Samoa @ Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan. Kick-Off – Tues 12th Nov 6am AEDT
Key Match
The most important match of the pool stage for France will be their final Group B clash against Samoa at home in Perpignan. This game may decide who makes it through to the quarter-finals and determine the finishing positions.
Agar will fancy his troops chances against Samoa at home in front of what will be a packed house at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
I’m expecting France to show a much improved performance than in 2008.
The Chanticleers will have the advantage of playing two games at home, as well having a squad that already has existing combinations as the majority have played together on a regular basis.
The young talent in the squad provide a certain unknown, yet the French haven’t shown this much promise since the days of Puig Aubert, who is regarded as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Olivier Elima will be hoping to lead his side to a victory over the Kumuls and then provide a similar result against Samoa in front of a partisan home crowd.
If the Chanticleers can achieve that, I believe they will be the team to join the ‘Big Three’ in the Semi-Finals at Wembley Stadium, which will ensure the French renaissance is in full effect.
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