French round-up: Quarantine latest, Gigot’s early Catalans re-union, Guasch relief & Limoux sign Canada international

James Gordon

Wakefield Trinity's Tony Gigot

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

Quarantine imposed on France travel

The travel restrictions imposed on people arriving in the UK from France will be reciprocated, but won’t impact on Catalans Dragons participation in Super League. It was announced on Thursday evening that people travelling from France will have to spend 14-days in quarantine. Catalans, who travel by private plane, are not affected and have an elite sport travel exemption to travel. It is unknown as yet how this may affect the Dragons plans to welcome English clubs for games in Perpignan from next month.

Guasch relieved at Super League re-shuffle

Catalans president Bernard Guasch says it would have been a disaster if his side were forced to call off their Super League game this weekend. The Dragons were scheduled to face Salford, who were ruled out of action following the coronavirus outbreak at last week’s opponents Hull. But Super League chiefs moved quickly to re-shuffle the fixture list, meaning the Dragons will now go up against Wakefield on Saturday in St Helens. He told L’Independant: “We heard the news on Tuesday evening and if the whole day had been postponed it would have been a disaster for us. The season is going to be special and complicated. Today the competition continues and that is what is important for our club.”

Gigot’s Dragons reunion

New Wakefield signing Tony Gigot faces an earlier expected re-union with former club Catalans, as a result of the re-shuffle. The French international won the Lance Todd Trophy for his part in the Dragons’ historic 2018 Challenge Cup final success. He said: “I would have preferred to play them later, it remains my favourite club for which I have a lot of respect. I have a lot of friends in the team too, it’s not easy to play against but it’s part of the game so that the best wins hoping for a good game.”

Drew makes Limoux move

Canada international centre Jordan Drew has signed for Limoux. Drew, 25, made a try-scoring NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos at the age of 18 in 2013, but has never played in the top flight since. A former Junior Kangaroo, he was most recently with Wynnum Manly Sea Eagles. He played for Canada in their 2021 World Cup qualifiers.

Toulon recruit two Australians

Elite 2 Championship side Toulon have signed Australian pair Brendon Newton and Joshua Allison. Half-back or full-back Newton, 27, played in England with Gloucestershire All Golds and was most recently with Wentworthville Magpies. Centre or back-rower Allison, also 27, is another former All Golds player, and also had a spell with London Skolars in 2017.

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