Catalans Dragons have thrown their weight behind Toulouse Olympique’s bid to become Super League’s 12th team in 2021.
Dragons President Bernard Guasch is keen to see a second French club in the top-flight and he put a message of support on social media last week.
“I have always supported this Super League project,” said Guasch.
“The time has come, it’s time to reward the great job done by the head coach Sylvain Houles. For years, Toulouse have been in the top places of a really tough competition in the Championship.
“Toulouse is the fourth biggest French city with big facilities like the famous Ernest Wallon Stadium. Just imagine two French derbies in Ernest Wallon and Gilbert Brutus, it can be the renewal of the French Rugby League and its national team. We need Toulouse in Super League.”
Dragons coach Steve McNamara was also keen to see the friendly cooperation between Catalans and Toulouse develop into competitive rivalry on the pitch.
He told League Express: “It’s a fascinating scenario. It’s up to Super League to decide whether or not to allow an expansion club to come in after another expansion club has left.
“There is a lot of debate over the ins and outs of the Toronto situation, but Toulouse are certainly very keen and they’ve signed some really good players, probably with one eye on Super League, whether it be for the coming season or the one after that.
“I’ve got a very good relationship with their coach Sylvain Houles. We spoke last week to make sure we were both on the same page and up to date on what’s happening in the world of Rugby League.
“It’s only natural that you do feel isolated sometimes being down here in the south of France. You don’t always pick up on everything that’s happening in England, so we have regular catch-ups and we’ll continue to do that.
“But it would be a huge boost for the game over here, and the game as a whole, if Toulouse joined Super League.”
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