Nathan Peats: Two French teams in Super League makes sense
Toulouse hooker Nathan Peats believes Super League benefits from having two French teams in the competition as Toulouse stare down the barrel of relegation.
However, the number nine knows that the club’s Super League status is up to the players in the remaining four games.
Peats, 31, made the mid-season switch to Toulouse earlier in May on a deal until the end of 2023.
The hooker had been playing in France with Albi in the Elite 1 Championship before making the move.
With four games remaining, Peat knows all the pressure lies on his team, with the task becoming even harder following Wakefield’s win over Wigan last weekend.
They sit four points behind Willie Poching’s side, who face Hull on Friday.
Nathan Peats: ‘It’s good for the sport to have two French teams’
“I think Toulouse need to stay up,” Peats said, as well recognising the huge task ahead.
“It’s good for the sport and good for expansion, especially with the World Cup coming over here in 2025.
“Obviously I’m bias, but I think it’s good for the sport to have two French teams and not just down the M62 corridor.
“I know a lot of club owners have had complaints about the extra funding it needs, but I think Toulouse and Catalans bring a lot to the game.
“Speaking for Toulouse, we have fantastic facilities, sharing with the rugby union side.
“It’s a great experience for both players and fans. We played Hull the other week and on the Monday you still saw Hull fans walking around the city. It’s something different and even players get to enjoy the experience and stay a few days, rather than sit on a coach for a few hours in one night.
“The facilities themselves are a lot better than some other teams where you’re trying to cram 17 players into little sheds.
“It’s important to grow the game and I think having two French teams does that.
“But obviously that’s all down to relegation this year.
“I’m not sure if they’re going to review the process for promotion and relegation in a few years, but for this year it’s up to us.
“I want to stay playing in Super League so it’s up to us to make sure we do that next season. I’m contracted to Toulouse next year, so I really want to stay up.”