A new rugby league side is set to be created in one area of France in a bid to restore the 13-a-side code to the region.
That region is Nice, located in the French Riviera in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of l’Hexagon.
The Nice XIII – as they are called – have sent out a Facebook post looking for players in their recruitment drive as they aim to create a senior team for next season.
So far, according to the Treize Edito, a fourth-grade team is being mentioned, but all the greatest projects were borne out of something small – and it’s incredibly exciting news for French rugby league which continues to thrive.
Some people are trying to create a #RugbyLeague team in #Nice . What a great perspective it is. Nice is a big city located on the #FrenchRiviera , with the second largest airport in France. So far only a 4th grade team is mentioned, but who knows… someday… pic.twitter.com/j6p5y3jGTY
— Treize Édito🏉📝 🇫🇷🇺🇦 (@pierrecarcau) January 6, 2022
France currently has two main sides in the European Super League – the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique – but the determination and support for more is certainly rife within the nation.
The likes of the Pia Donkeys and Limoux Grizzlies have been key parts of the Elite One Championship – France’s domestic rugby league competition – but there has always been a murmuring for more.
And, with Catalans’ success in 2021 – when they finished top for the first time in their history and reached a maiden Grand Final – the desire is only going to grow even more.
