It’s 2017. Catalans Dragons trail Leigh Centurions 6-4 in the million-pound game and are 40 minutes away from dropping out of the Super League. Two second half tries from Lewis Tierney completed the comeback for the side from Perpignan and they lived to fight another day.
Since Head Coach Steve McNamara joined the club in 2017, the clubs rise has been monumental. In 2018 Catalans won their first ever piece of silverware, winning the Challenge cup final 20-14 against Warrington Wolves. They then reached their first ever Grand Final in 2021, losing 12-10 to St Helens.
Now, they’re about to make their second Grand Final appearance in 3 years.
This season, Catalans finished 2nd in the Super League, behind Wigan Warriors, their opponents on Saturday.
Ahead of the Grand Final, McNamara had this to say on the impact of reaching and potentially winning the grand Final: “It’s massive for the club,
“We were 40 minutes away from existing so to be where we are now is huge,
“It’s all about the French lads, its huge for them,
“I get all the talk surrounding Sam (Tomkins) but it’s about France and the French boys and everything they’ve committed to being the best they can possibly be,
“It will have a big impact.”
Catalans captain and Frenchman, Benjamin Garcia also spoke on the importance that winning the Grand Final could have on French Rugby: “We know we’ll have many fans who show their support so for French Rugby League and the kids in France it’s huge,
“It will make history,
“New people come from everywhere, Paris, Toulouse to Marseille and the fans are really passionate and it will be great for all.”
“There’s fanatical support over there”
Head of media for England Rugby League, Andrew Donnelly also spoke about how the sport can be grown in France: “There’s evidence that the game and Catalans are heading the right way,
“There’s fanatical support over there,
“It’s a big occasion.
“They’ll bring more fans than last time and bring more hope and Catalans reaching the final has captured the mind of the neutral as well. If people are watching rugby, then it can only be a good thing.”
Last time Catalans made the Grand Final, the attendance was 45,177. This time however, the attendance is expected to be around the 60,000 mark, showing a clear growth in Catalans profile and its impact in France.
Catalans the catalyst for French Rugby
France’s Rugby Union heritage dates to 1872, when it was introduced by the British, and have competed in every World cup since it began in 1987, hosting in 2007 and 2023.
Rugby League also arrived in France in the 20th century, with the sport growing well until it was banned during the Second World War by the Vichy Government.
Rugby League has had a small resurgence since the mid 2000’s, however. In 2005, Catalans Dragons applied to join the Super League, the highest level of Rugby in Europe, joining in 2006.
France has struggled to make a dent in the Super League though with only two ever playing in the competition. France currently has 51 teams playing in their own league system across four divisions. This is compared to 101 teams across England’s four divisions.
Catalans rise however, could be the key to a new frontier for Rugby League in mainland Europe.
