How France is offering regular rugby league for action-starved players

While rugby league in this country remains on hold ahead of a delayed season start, a handful of British players have found weekly competitive action.

Former Warrington and Widnes prop Pat Moran is one of a select group plying their trade in France’s Elite 1, which is continuing amid the Covid restrictions across the Channel.

Moran made his debut for Avignon against Paula Broncos on Sunday, while elsewhere, fellow ex-Super League front rowers Anthony Mullally and Kyle Trout are at Carcassonne and Lezignan respectively.

Catalans’ 2018 Lance Todd Trophy winner Tony Gigot has also opted to return home to France following a brief spell with Wakefield, and is now set to line up alongside Moran at Avignon.

And the Ireland international says the chance to play regularly in a World Cup year was one of the key reasons behind his move, after he initially signed with Ottawa before their decision to withdraw from the 2021 season.

Moran explained: “I’ve spoken to a couple of friends back home who are pretty jealous that I’m playing now. We’re lucky to have a competition going in France, and knowing that they were up and running here was a big factor in coming.

“Nowhere else in the world is really playing professional rugby league at the moment. It’s a very good standard – I’d compare it to the Championship which I’m used to playing in back home. It’s very competitive and physical.

“I made my debut on Sunday and it was the first time I’d played rugby in almost a year. I think I went alright, it’s a start and I want to play as much as possible because I’d love to secure a World Cup spot with Ireland.”

Less fortunate in his search for game time has been code convert Guy Armitage, who joined second division Villefranche only to see their competition suspended shortly after he landed in France.

The former Wasps and London Irish centre was another to sign for Ottawa and has played just nine games of rugby league since joining London Broncos in 2019.

But he insists the latest setback hasn’t lessened his desire to make it in the 13-man code.

Armitage said: “It’s been quite frustrating because I’m still keen to have an impact in league, but I’m still healthy and young enough to give it a go. I’m still going to carry on and there’s definitely more to come from me.”

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