Rugby league has been played in France since the 1930s. As with rugby union, the heartland of the game is the south of the country. Wally Lewis passing the ball in Rugby League State of Origin. ... The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known as the World Depression. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ...

History

Main article: History of rugby league

Rugby football was introduced into France by the British in the early 1870s. It quickly began to flourish in the poorer, more rural south. The French rugby clubs remained in affiliation with the English Rugby Football Union and IRB when rugby split in 1895. By the 1930s the rugby union authorities concluded that the French Rugby Union was breaching amateur regulations, and they were suspended from playing against the other nations. Looking round for an alternative, many French players turned to rugby league, which soon became a popular game in France, particularly in the south west of the country. The history of rugby league began with the schism of 1895 in the sport of Rugby football. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... // The invention of the telephone (1876) by Alexander Graham Bell. ... The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the rugby union governing body in England. ... IRB is a TLA for International Rugby Board Irish Republican Brotherhood Institutional Review Board This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known as the World Depression. ... The French Rugby Federation (French: (FFR)) is the governing body for rugby union in France. ...

On 6 April 1934 the French Rugby League was born with the constitution of the Ligue Française de Rugby à XIII (i.e. the French RL Federation). On 12 January 1938 the Ligue Française de Rugby à XIIIe de Rugby à XIII was given official recognition by the government of Prime Minister Camille Chautemps, himself a former rugby union player of Stade Français. The Prime Minister took the decision rather than the Minister for Sports, Léo Lagrange, who was not in favour of such a decision as he was against professional sports and their development. Two days later, for other reasons, the government resigned. Camille Chautemps (February 1, 1885 in Paris – July 1, 1963 in Washington, D.C., U.S.) was a French Radical politician of the Third Republic, three times President of the Council (Prime Minister). ... Stade Français CASG Paris is a French rugby union club that plays in the 16th arrondissement of Paris at Stade Jean-Bouin, across the road from Parc des Princes. ... Léo Lagrange (born at Bourg-upon-Gironde, on 28 November 1900 - died on Évergnicourt, on 9 June 1940) was one socialist French, Under-Secretary of State for the sports and for the organization of the leisures in the Popular Front. ...

The LFR.13's governmental recognition remained valid until October 1940 and returned in full force from September 1944 till the present time (even though the sport was forced to change its name from "Rugby of 13" to "Game of 13". This lasted for 42 years 2 months 2 days when the game was once more known as Rugby à XIII). Rugby league became wrongly associated with socialist politics in France whereas rugby union remained the game of the establishment. Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subjfuck grapesect to control by the community[1] for the purposes of increasing social and economic equality and cooperation. ...

By 1939, there had been a marked growth in rugby league at the expense of rugby union. The French Rugby Union noted the decline, "Tandis que la Ligue triomphait, la FRR dans son congrès de Marseille, le 24 juin 1939, constatait que ses effectifs avaient fondu comme neige au soleil. Ses clubs n'étaient plus que 471; on en comptait 784 en 1930 ! Que serait-il advenu du rugby à XV de ce côté de la Manche sans la seconde guerre mondiale? Il peut sembler paradoxal que la guerre d'abord, l'occupation ensuite, aient sauvé la FRR." (While rugby league football was triumphant, The FRR(French rugby union) during its conference in Marseille on the 24th June 1939 observed that its playing numbers were in decline(like melting snow). Its(FRR) club number was now only 471; Its club number was 784 in 1930! What may have occurred to rugby union on this side of the Channel without World War II? It paradoxially may be considered that the German invasion, and than the occupation, saved the FRR."[1] Satellite view of the English Channel The English Channel (French: , the sleeve) is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the island of Great Britain from northern France and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. ...

Vichy banning

The defeat of France in the Second World War had serious implications for rugby league. On 15th October 1940 the French RL Federation instructed its clubs to play rugby union as rugby league was banned. Only under 18 players were exempt, and only for one more year. On 29th December 1941 by a decree of the Vichy regime rugby league was banned after a demand by Berlin. Numerous players, clubs and officials switched to rugby union. Combatants  France  United Kingdom  Canada  Czechoslovakia  Poland  Belgium  Netherlands  Luxembourg Germany Italy Commanders Maurice Gamelin, Maxime Weygand Lord Gort (British Expeditionary Force) Leopold III H.G. Winkelman Gerd von Rundstedt (Army Group A) Fedor von Bock (Army Group B) Wilhelm von Leeb (Army Group C) H.R.H. Umberto di... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Motto Travail, famille, patrie French: Unoccupied zone of Vichy France (until November 1942) Capital Vichy Capital-in-exile Sigmaringen (1944-1945) Language(s) French Religion Roman Catholic Government Dictatorship Chief of state  - 1940 — 1944 Philippe Pétain President of the Council  - 1940 — 1942 Philippe Pétain  - 1942 — 1944 Pierre Laval...

Between the end of 1940 and the middle of 1942, at least six other French Amateur Sport Federations were also banned and destroyed by the Vichy regime, this in relation with the sport policy of the Vichy Regime and of its National revolution. A BBC reporter explained it thus: "This year (2002) a French government inquiry found that "influential officials in the French Rugby Federation endeavoured to eliminate the competitor, which they claimed was a deviant form of rugby union."" Vichy France (French: now called Régime de Vichy or Vichy; called itself at the time État Français, or French State) was the French state of 1940-1944 which was a puppet government under Nazi influence, as opposed to the Free French Forces, based first in London and later... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ...

Rugby league was a working-class sport and had connections to the pre-war socialist government whereas union had connections to more conservative right-wing organisations. The ban was to do with the Germans and Vichy suppressing any opposition to their occupation.^{[citation needed]}

Rugby league was a working-class sport and had connections to the pre-war socialist government whereas union had connections to more conservative right-wing organisations. The ban was to do with the Germans and Vichy suppressing any opposition to their occupation.^{[citation needed]}

"They just came to the club. I was there training in the Under-13s. They told us we had to stop playing rugby 13. They took our kit, and even the balls" - 1942, Unknown ^{[citation needed]}

At the end of September 1944 the Ligue Française de Rugby à XIII was re-established but would struggle to bring French rugby league back to the levels of popularity it had enjoyed before the war.

The consequences of the Vichy Regime's ban reverberate to this day. Assets of between 3 to 6 million French Francs of 1941 were seized (equivalent to 0.91 to 1.82 million Euros in 2006). These were never returned but as compensation, the French Republic has given rugby league "Sport de Haut Niveau" status (FRL doesn't comply with all laws and regulations for this statute ^[1]). Consequently, the French Rugby League has received from the Republic around 1.2 million French Francs a year since 1972 in annual subsidies rising to 3,759 million in 2004 as well as rugby league educational facilities in Carcassonne & Toulouse and 6 to 12 development officers (11 in 2007). Carcassonne (Carcassona in Occitan) is a fortified French town, in the Aude département of which it is the préfecture, in the former province of Languedoc. ... New city flag (Occitan cross) Traditional coat of arms Motto: (Occitan: For Toulouse, always more) Location Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country Region Midi-Pyrénées Department Haute-Garonne (31) Intercommunality Community of Agglomeration of Greater Toulouse Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc  (UMP) (since 2004) City Statistics Land...

Post War to the Present

Although the ban on rugby league was lifted, it was prevented from using the word rugby in its title from 24 April 1949 until 26 June 1991, having to use the name Jeu à Treize (Game of Thirteen, in reference to the number of players in a rugby league side).

By a gentlemen's agreement, LFR XIII / French Republic / FFR XV of 10 July 1947, the French Republic also gave to the FFJ XIII (as from 24 April 1949 the official new name of the LFR XIII) the authorisation and recommendation of creating another association (NGO law 1901) i.e. "Ligue de Rugby à XIII" for the conducting and the controlling of the semi-professional/professional activity (i.e. the Rugby League National division) and to register the "Ligue de Rugby à XIII" with the French National Committee of Sports. Unfortunately the LFR XIII and afterwards the FFJ XIII didn't create the association "Ligue of Rugby à XIII"; they preferred to conduct and to control the National division via an internal commission in the federation (LFR XIII, FFJ XIII after).

After the war the French game was re-established and the French became one of rugby league’s major powers. The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954 in order to raise funds. France played major international series against Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. The 1951 and 1955 French tours of Australia are still regarded as two of the strongest sides ever to tour Australia. The Rugby League World Cup is an international competition contested by the mens national rugby league teams of the member nations of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), the sports global governing body. ...

However the game has since declined in France. Over the years some players have defected to play rugby union, which has overshadowed rugby league since the war; but from 1934 to 1972 the rugby union players who defected to play rugby league were very numerous: Desclaux, Dauger, Dop, Puig-Aubert, Merquey, Jimenez, Mantoulan, Capdouze, P. Lacaze, Blain, Bonnal, Ruiz, Aillères, Marracq, Marsolan, Barthe, Quaglio, Biffi, Zacariotto, Rebujent, Mas, Sauret, Erramouspé. For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ...

In Feb. 1996, a French team, Paris Saint Germain was formed to take part in the otherwise English Super League (Europe). The players being drawn from the French League. It was abandoned in October 1997, partly because Paris was not in the southern heartland of French rugby league and partly because the players had the double burden of playing for both Paris and their original club. Club fondé en 1995 Cessation dactivité en 1997 Couleurs bleu, rouge et blanc Stade Stade Charlety (20 000 places) Paris Saint Germain were a rugby league club based in the suburbs of Paris, France who competed for the first two seasons of the Super League. ... Super League (Europe) began in March 1996 and is the only full-time professional rugby league competition operating in the northern hemisphere. ...

In 1998, X111 Actif were formed under the Chairmanship of French rugby league historian Robert Fassolette, to put pressure on the French Government over the Vichy banning of the sport. The French Minister of Sport commissioned an enquiry, which found in favour of XII Actif. The Court then ruled that only the French rugby league federation could take up case further. This they declined to to do.

In 2005, during a scheduled game between France and Australia, the local Rugby Union forced the rescheduling of the match to a less convenient time.^{[citation needed]}

Governing body

Since 26 June 1991 the governing body for rugby league in France has been the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII (i.e. formerly Ligue Française de Rugby à XIII then, Fédération Française de Jeu à XIII). The Federation is a founding member of and a full member of the Rugby League International Federation (i.e. IRLB Jan. 1948) and of the Rugby League European Federation (i.e. May 2003). The Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII (FFR) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in France. ... The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) is the world governing body for the sport of rugby league. ... Logo of the RLEF The Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league across Europe, and the Mediterranean area. ...

Competitions

The French Rugby League Championship has been the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional clubs in France since the sport was introduced to the country in the thirties. The championship is divided into several divisions; the top league is currently titled Elite Championship.
The premier knock-out cup is the Lord Derby Cup. The French rugby league championship (French: Le Championnat de France de Rugby à XIII) has been the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional clubs in France since the sport was introduced to the country in the thirties. ... Wally Lewis passing the ball in Rugby League State of Origin. ... The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known as the World Depression. ... The French Rugby à XIII Cup i. ...

Each year 4 French teams take part in the Challenge Cup, and since February 2006 the Perpignan based club formerly known as UTC (Union Treiziste Catalan), now known as Catalans Dragons, play in Super League. Other French clubs such as Toulouse may follow. The Challenge Cup (currently known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs across Europe. ... The Catalans Dragons (sometimes referred to as Les Catalans, Les Cats or the Dragons are a professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, in the Northern Catalonia. ... Super League (Europe) began in March 1996 and is the only full-time professional rugby league competition operating in the northern hemisphere. ... Toulouse Olympique are a French rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. ...

Popularity

In 2002, it was estimated that rugby league had around 10,000 regular players in France, compared to around 215,000 for rugby union. The game struggles for attention in the national media, but it is covered by local outlets in the south. However the introduction of Catalans Dragons into Super League has seen substantial with articles appearing in national newspapers such as L'Équipe, Libération and Le Figaro during 2006. Les Catalans are a French rugby league club based primarily in the town of Perpignan in the south of France. ... Super League (Europe) began in March 1996 and is the only full-time professional rugby league competition operating in the northern hemisphere. ... LEquipe logo LÉquipe (French for the team) is a French nationwide daily newspaper devoted to sports. ... Libération (affectionately known as Libé) is a French daily newspaper founded in Paris in 1973 by Jean-Paul Sartre, Pierre Victor alias Benny Lévy and Serge July in the wake of the protest movements of May 1968. ... Le Figaro (English: ) is one of the leading French morning daily newspapers. ...

The National Team

Main article: France national rugby league team

See also New Caledonia national rugby league team

The French national rugby league team are often nicknamed les Chanteclairs, after the cockerel which is the emblem of the team, or as les Tricolores. They have competed in every World Cup and European Nations Cup, as well as playing in other tournaments such the Victory Cup. The French national rugby league team are often nicknamed les chanteclairs, after the cockerel which is the emblem of the team or as les tricolores. ... First international American Samoa 62 - 6 New Caledonia (Pago Pago, American Samoa; 23 October 2004) Biggest win Never won a fixture Biggest defeat Samoa 76 - 0 New Caledonia (Apia, Samoa; 20 October 2004) The New Caledonia rugby league team represents the French territory of New Caledonia and has been participating... The Rugby League World Cup is an international competition contested by the mens national rugby league teams of the member nations of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), the sports global governing body. ... The European Nations Cup (formerly known as the European Championship) is a rugby league tournament for European nations. ...

It was announced that from 2009, France would enter into the current Tri-Nations setup involving Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain. The introduction of Catalans Dragons into the Super League, and recent strong outings from the international side led to this decision. This should benefit the rugby league world as a whole.

The French territory of New Caledonia has had its own rugby league team since 2003, which is run by the Fédération Francaise de Rugby à Treize. First international American Samoa 62 - 6 New Caledonia (Pago Pago, American Samoa; 23 October 2004) Biggest win Never won a fixture Biggest defeat Samoa 76 - 0 New Caledonia (Apia, Samoa; 20 October 2004) The New Caledonia rugby league team represents the French territory of New Caledonia and has been participating...

See also

• Sport in France
• Rugby union in France
• Many official documents in: FFR XIII, révolution nationale Sport policy, and Interdiction du rugby à XIII par le régime de Vichy

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Rugby union is a popular team sport that is played in France. ...

References & external links

• ^[1] Haut Niveau Sport Statute and FRL Haut Niveau Sport Statute
• 6 other French amateur sport federations banned and destroyed by vichy regime: Table tennis, Jeu de paume, Badminton, FSGT (for workers), UFOLEP and USEP (respectively for scholars and collegians)
• France Rugby League
• French RL Banned
• 21 April 1999, the French Republic's Homage to all sportmen, sportwomen, clubs and federations (FRL included) having had to suffer from the vichy regime and of its national revolution
• Rugby treize forum (French and English)

v • d • e Rugby League in France
Federation	Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII
National Team	France les Chanteclairs
Domestic Competitions	Elite Championship · Lord Derby Cup
Super League Team	Catalans Dragons
Elite Championship Teams Former teams	AS Carcassonne · Carpentras XIII · Les Catalans · Lézignan Sangliers · Limoux Grizzlies · Lyon Villeurbanne · Pia XIII · St Gaudens · Toulouse Olympique · US Villeneuve · Villefranche XIII Aveyron