The Forbidden Game on the World Stage

On Friday afternoon came the unexpected announcement from the French Rugby League authorities that the country would host the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, over 50 years since the country last hosted the sport's biggest tournament.

On Tuesday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex will hold a press conference to announce further details. Reports are suggesting that the men's, women's, wheelchair and youth tournaments will be held at the same time, across 40 venues stretching the breadth of France. This will form part of a golden era of French sport, with the country due to host the Rugby Union World Cup in 2023 and Paris to host the Olympics in 2024.

The original Rugby World Cup will follow in 2025, completing a trio of major sporting events in France in as many years.  Further rumours suggest the hosting of the tournaments will be supported by 40 million Euros of Government funding. This is quite something, if confirmed. The establishment of France is now actively supporting our sport. It has not always been this way.

A History Lesson

I will not try and re-tell the whole, complex story of Rugby League in France. Frankly, it would take an entire book and the one written by Mike Rylance cannot be surpassed! In summary, during World War 2, France was invaded by Germany and ruled by the Vichy Government. In 1940, Rugby League was banned in France and its assets were seized. Rugby Union authorities were close to the ruling party and pulled strings to destroy its rival sport. Propaganda told the French public that Rugby League 'corrupted' young French people. 

As war ended and peace returned, Rugby League became legal once more. However, conditions were agreed, the sport had to be referred to as 'game of thirteen', to refer to it as rugby was not permitted until 1991. Rugby League remained banned in schools for many years, there was a limit of 200 players allowed to play professionally. Even once all limitations on our sport were removed, the two million Francs of assets that were seized in the war have never been returned. Compensation has never been paid.

Knowledge of the persecution of our game in France is well-known in Rugby League circles. But it is more pervasive and modern than you would think. Up until 2015, if a Rugby Union player in Italy was 'caught' playing Rugby League a lifetime ban followed. Greece were forced to play qualifiers for the 2021 World Cup at midnight, to avoid being shut down by police. I'd urge all fans to try and get to a Greece game at the World Cup if you can, to reach a World Cup in the face of such sabotage is one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time.

Sol Makdad was even jailed in United Arab Emirates for trying to spread the word of our game, an act seen as a direct threat to Rugby Union. From Canada to Japan, from the 19th century to now, our sport remains the persecuted game. We wrote about this in 2020, if you want to learn more - click here!

Post-War Boom and Bust

That being said, we cannot solely blame persecution for our shortcomings, especially in France. France have hosted World Cups before, including the first ever tournament in 1954. Rugby League enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1950's. France beat Australia in test series' several times between the 1950's and 1970's and their 1951 and 1955 squads are unquestionably amongst the strongest international sides of any nation in history. So much so, that when Great Britain won the 1954 World Cup, defeating France in the final, this was a major shock.

France suffered a decline in the 1980's and have not been a major international force since. For these flaws and the decline in competitiveness of internationals, we must look at ourselves rather than point the finger of blame elsewhere.

A New Era

After a successful World Cup in 1995 held by England and an influx of Ruper Murdoch's money, an opportunity was seen to grow the sport in France once more. A Super League team in Paris showed very early promise, but proved to be a false dawn.

Rugby League tried again in 2006, with Catalans admitted to Super League. A far more sensible plan on this occasion, we decided to fish where the fish are, and grant a licence to a region with rich Rugby League heritage.

Catalans, in their 16 year history, have reached two Challenge Cup finals, won one of them, have topped Super League and reached a Grand Final. Their stadium looks respectable on TV and their crowds are amongst the better ones in Super League. Next, Toulouse look set to follow in 2022 as the sport's top-flight footprint continues to grow.

The sport will cross into new territory on Tuesday. A member of the French establishment will announce Government support for the country hosting a World Cup. That's a lot of progress, considering that just 31 years before, you were not even permitted to utter the name of our sport.

Bon chance to our French counterparts. With Catalans at the peak of their powers, a second French side joining Super League and now France hosting our sport's premier event in 2025, you cannot help but hope that things are looking up for Rugby League in France.