Theo Fages on second French team in Super League & 2025 World Cup
Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix
Huddersfield half-back Theo Fages says French rugby league has an exciting future on its hands – both internationally and domestically.
Super League has two French teams in it for the first-time ever in 2022. Toulouse Olympique went the Championship season unbeaten in 2021 as they won promotion to the top-flight.
And the rise of Catalans Dragons has seen rugby league in France go from strength to strength. The Dragons followed up their Challenge Cup success in 2018 with a League Leaders’ Shield last season as well as their maiden Grand Final appearance.
France international Fages helped Huddersfield win their first game of the season last Saturday as they won 42-14 in Toulouse.
He said: “It is good that French rugby league is growing and with the World Cup in 2025 and a second French team Super League, it is only going to go up. It is exciting for the future.
“I think it is big for French rugby league. The more we can show TV games, the more people will watch. There are a lot of good French players in both teams (Catalans & Toulouse) so hopefully we can grow it and get better after that.”
More on French RL
80 years since French rugby league was banned: a tribute to pioneer Jean Galia
Everything you need to know about the 2025 World Cup in France
France World Cup “another major boost” for rugby league in Europe
The Rugby League World Cup will be held in France in 2025. For the first time in history, France will bring together four competitions – men, women, wheelchair and youth.
But before that, the postponed 2021 World Cup will be held in England this autumn, which Fages hopes to play in.
He said: “Hopefully I can have a good season and get picked. The World Cup is the biggest tournament you want to play in so it is always good representing your country. Hopefully I’m fit at the end of the season and get picked.”
On the 2025 tournament in France, Fages added: “Hopefully it can grow the sport, have loads of people at the stadiums and hopefully we as France can have a good tournament.
“If we can help the sport get big in France then it would be a success. It would be good to host.”
PLAY: Our free to play Fantasy Rugby League game is now live for 2022