A relationship between French and Australian rugby league could be set to create a competition to rival Super League with Dominique Baloup, President of the French Rugby League Federation, confirming a new competition’s arrival in 2027.
Baloup, speaking in a video uploaded to the International Rugby League TikTok account, explained the developing relationship between the French and Australian rugby league federations will lead to the creation of a French Super League in 2027.
The top flight of French rugby league has recently been rebranded from the Elite One to the Super XIII but an eight or ten-team competition is being planned for 2027, all as a result of a “new close relationship” between the governing bodies in France and Australia.
As part of Australia’s Ashes tour, the two nations had been scheduled to play but the Rugby League Player’s Association in Australia vetoed that.
Instead, the French team will travel to London and have two days of training with Australia aimed at sharpening the Ashes contenders and allowing France to learn plenty from the best in the world.
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French and Australian governing bodies to launch French Super League
Having alluded to the huge advantages that France could gain from training with the Kangaroos, Baloup explained that these upcoming training sessions are part of a larger project that the two nations have been working on.
The NRL, perhaps sick of banging their head against a wall when trying to work with Super League, view France as a ‘key driver for rugby league growth’ according to Baloup.
He said: “What’s crucial to understand is that for the past 18 months, we’ve been working tirelessly with International Rugby League (IRL) and NRL president Peter V’landys to position France as the key driver for rugby league growth in the northern hemisphere.”
Speaking more about the proposed French Super League, he added: “The new close relationship between the Australian and French rugby league federation aims to launch a French Super League by 2027, with eight or ten clubs,
“It may include current or new teams in various locations and while modest compared to the English Super League, it will move (the sport) towards professionalisation.
“This agreement and meeting holds enormous sporting interest and politically represents significant development for French rugby league.”
Baloup’s nod to ‘current’ teams raises eyebrows about the possibility of Toulouse joining. Not currently in Super League and not guaranteed to earn a place via IMG or the upcoming selection process, the Olympians could be in contention to play in the competition.
As it stands, they opt to play in England but that’s with ambitions of playing in Super League. Should they miss out this year then it would seem like the door has closed on them, something that may lead to a reevaluation on where they play.
The biggest point that Baloup makes is the idea that this new competition, whatever form it is in, will enhance professional standards of rugby league in France – a rugby-mad nation who can offer so much to the sport.
Eric T Cat
September 24, 2025 at 1:32 pm
Cutting out the RFL looks like a genius move. Running things from Australia another good move. Not being bound by the restraints of kowtowing to the Establishment absolutely inspired! Good luck to them! I hope it thrives!
Wayne
September 25, 2025 at 4:24 am
I agree is a great market and area for the NRL to go into and it will be great for French Rugby League in the long run
Wiganexpat
September 28, 2025 at 1:57 am
PVL is acutely aware of the money there is in Union in France and will be acutely aware of the potential that is French Rugby League. His ultimate goal will be much bigger than just France though.
Wiganexpat
September 28, 2025 at 1:54 am
I have been reading a lot about the break away Rugby Union comp R360 and its global ambitions. Whether that comes to fruition or not, we will see however it set me thinking about whether the NRL could launch a rival NRL Europe competition ? All they would need to do is send out an open invite to existing SL clubs, and add new clubs where they think they might need them. I could see Catalans and Toulouse being key components as well a Lockyer led London Broncos. How many existing Superleague clubs might jump ship ? Wigan, Leeds and Warrington almost certainly.
If there is money to be made, PVL will not stand still while Superleague dithers.