Samisoni Langi named in France squad for Rugby League World Cup

Drew Darbyshire 25 Sep 2022 8:00 AM

Samisoni Langi Catalans Dragons France Super League SWpix — Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Former Tonga international Samisoni Langi has been named in the France squad for the upcoming World Cup.

The 29-year-old qualifies to play for France on the residency rule, having played for Catalans Dragons for the past five years.

Langi was born in Australia and is of Tongan heritage. He has represented Tonga at the last two World Cups in 2013 and 2017. But in this year’s tournament he will swap the red of Tonga for the blue of France.

Earlier this month, Catalans confirmed that Langi would leave the club at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract. His next destination has not yet been confirmed.

As expected, the Dragons have the most representatives in the French squad with 13 players included.

Toulouse, who suffered relegation in their maiden season in Super League, have eight players in Laurent Frayssinous’ side.

With Catalans and Toulouse dominating the French national squad, there are just three players from other clubs – Morgan Escaré (Salford), Gadwin Springer (Featherstone) and Louis Jouffret (Halifax) make up Frayssinous’ side.

But there is a surprise absentee. Huddersfield’s influential half-back Theo Fages has not been included after a year hit by injuries.

France are in a group alongside Samoa, Greece and hosts England at the World Cup.

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