‘I’m excited to join the squad’ – Former NRL back joins Toulouse Olympique

Championship side Toulouse Olympique have signed former NRL full-back Zac Santo on a deal for the remainder of the season.

Toulouse boss Sylvain Houles has bolstered his options following the long-term injuries to Olly Ashall-Bott (knee) and Reubenn Rennie (ankle) as well as the return of Niue international Latrell Schaumkel to Australia.

Santo came through the ranks at NRL side North Queensland Cowboys, making his first-grade debut for the club back in 2014.

The Australian full-back then went on to spend two seasons with Canberra Raiders, making two NRL appearances before then spending a year with the New Zealand Warriors.

Santo made the move over to France in 2019, where he joined up with Limoux in the French Elite 1 Championship.

The 30-year-old has already linked up with Toulouse and will spend the rest of the Championship season with them.

Former NRL back Zac Santo ‘excited’ to join Toulouse Olympique

Santo, who represented Queensland in the younger age groups, had a disrupted first season in France because of the coronavirus pandemic – but was named the Elite 1 Player of the Year the following season by L’Indépendant.

On joining Toulouse, Santo said: “I’m excited to join the squad.

“I’m good friends with Reuben and I know Dom (Peyroux) pretty well and playing with the Toulouse boys at Limoux, they all have nothing but good things to say about the team so I’m excited for that.

“Also, I’m grateful to get the opportunity to help promote the game of rugby league in France because there is so much talent over here and France has the best supporters and to win would be a nice sentiment.”

Toulouse are currently sat third in the Championship table, having won 10 from 15 games this season. Featherstone are the league leaders, sitting eight points above Houles’ side.

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