JOEL TOMKINS has been involved in two of Super League’s greatest derbies as a player – and he’s telling his Catalans Dragons players to fully embrace their burgeoning rivalry with Toulouse Olympique.
The two clubs’ only previous meetings in the British game were in 2022, when Catalans did the double (winning 18-10 at home and 24-14 away).
After a three-year hiatus with Toulouse in the Championship, the two go head-to-head again this Saturday at Stade Gilbert Brutus, the first of three planned meetings with a Magic tie in France on the weekend of July 4-5 followed by a clash in Toulouse on July 25.
It’s a chance for the French grudge match to truly develop, not least with Toulouse starting their season in competitive fashion by winning their opening two games.
While the 100-mile distance between the clubs means it’s not a local derby in the way Catalans coach Tomkins remembers them with Wigan Warriors (against St Helens) or Hull KR (with city rivals FC), he’s keen to give it similar importance.
“Compared to the local rivalries I’ve been involved in, like Wigan-Saints and the Hull derby, it’s a little different,” Tomkins told League Express.
“But being the only two French teams in Super League, it’s definitely a derby, and it’ll have a bit of extra spice.
“Hopefully both teams are fully invested in it and want to go and prove a point.
“We’ll certainly be emphasising the importance of that derby feel to the game, and hopefully both sets of players will buy into that.
“It’s a game we’re looking forward to. For French Rugby League it’s important to have Toulouse in.
“French Rugby League having a couple of teams in Super League can only strengthen the game over here.”