Members of the RFL and the French Federation have had discussions surrounding the possibility of a joint rugby league Championship with four French teams in the near future.
Currently, it’s just Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique in the primarily-British rugby league system, while suggestions that Carcassonne could join have also been mentioned.
Now, however, it seems that there could be even more French involvement in the British game, according to the president of the French Federation, Dominique Baloup.
He told French newspaper La Dépêche Du Midi, ahead of the launch of the new Super XIII competition, that a move to a summer competition was being suggested, before a potential joint-venture in the future.
He said: “The English agree, although nothing is signed yet.
“In 2025, we will consider a change in the calendar that could come into effect in 2026 with a season running from February to September.
“With our English friends, we are considering launching a European competition in January 2026, which will initially see the French champions and the winners of the Championship face off.”
It is unclear whether the Super XIII will be at a level to compete with the winners of the Championship as early as 2026, but this could be an exciting venture for fans of clubs involved.
French play-off final, Toulouse v Carcassonne. Credit: Imago Images
He continued: “The winner of the Coupe de France would play the champions of League One and the wheelchair and women’s champions of the two countries would also meet.
“This would give four high-level matches over a weekend, a sort of European Cup for champion clubs that will be played over three seasons, from 2026 to 2028.
“The idea is to have at the end of these three years a Championship with two groups that integrate four French teams alongside the English clubs with a view of increasing professionalism of the clubs from both nations.”
RFL considering joint English and French competition
Credit: Imago Images
Although it seems they’re not 100% sold on the idea, the RFL seems to be interested – and a spokesperson, via Catalan Media, said: “The RFL has maintained a regular and positive dialogue throughout the year with Dominique Baloup and Gilles Dumas at the Federation.
“It’s covering a wide range of issues including the possibility of cross-Channel club competition – which we feel at the right level could be attractive and beneficial to successful Championship and League One clubs here, as well as to Elite One clubs in France.
“However, there are no firm proposals at this stage.”
Whether or not this comes to fruition, it ceratinly seems that there’s plenty of future collaboration between English and French rugby league on the horizon.
