Toulouse Olympique 2022 preview: Second French team must hit the ground running

Toulouse’s preparations for the 2022 season have been hit by drama surrounding two of their key men – Johnathan Ford and Mark Kheirallah.

Ford has subsequently left the club, while Kheirallah is still around for now, but been left out by Sylvain Houles for their opener against Huddersfield.

It’s a shame that after a 20 year journey to Super League, their start has been overshadowed.

Because they now have almost everything in place to become a successful Super League club.

The challenge for Houles is going to be staying up in the first year, and they will be desperate to add further to their squad – even without the departure of Ford.

Their home form will be crucial – they’ll need to win at least half of their home games to have any hope of avoiding relegation.

Key man

What they said

Speaking at the Super League media launch last week, Houles said: “Not much has moved forward with Mark Kheirallah. It’s between the club and him.

“Obviously he didn’t play in the friendly and I’m not sure we will see him play again.

“I’d rather move forward. We are going to come back stronger, we will get tighter and work harder.

“We’re in touch with a few agents and with a few players but there is nothing concrete at this stage.

“I want to get the right ones too, there are not many on the market at the moment.”

Toulouse Olympique 2022 preview: Key info

Coach: Sylvain Houles (since November 2012).

Captain: Tony Gigot.

In: Matty Russell (Leigh), James Cunningham (Huddersfield), Chris Hankinson (Wigan), Gadwin Springer (Villeneuve).

Out: Johnathon Ford (released), Remi Casty (retired), Bastien Ader (Limoux), Jy Hitchcox (Leigh).

Toulouse Olympique 2022 preview: squad in full

1. Mark Kheirallah, 2. Latrell Schaumkel, 3. Junior Vaivai, 4. Mathieu Jussaume, 5. Paul Marcon, 7. Lucas Albert, 8. Romain Navarrete, 9. Lloyd White, 10. Harrison Hansen, 11. Andrew Dixon, 12. Dominique Peyroux, 13. Anthony Marion, 14. Eloi Pelissier, 15. Maxime Puech, 16. Joe Bretherton, 17. Joseph Paulo, 18. Mitch Garbutt, 19. James Cunningham, 20. Ilias Bergal, 21. Chris Hankinson, 22. Gadwin Springer, 23. Justin Sangare, 24. Guy Armitage, 25. Matty Russell, 26. Huge Pezet, 31. Tony Gigot.

Toulouse odds: Grand Final winner 200/1 (12th), Regular season winner 150/1 (12th)

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