We're off to Toulouse! Super League Preview.

Toulouse Olympique will make their first foray into the topflight of European Rugby league in 2022. Who else better to share the occasion with none other than the home of Rugby League’s birth, Huddersfield.

Toulouse Olympique XIII to use their full name, were formed in 1937, two years after the formation of the French Rugby League federation. They are a 6-Time French Rugby League Championship winning side! They play their rugby at the 19,500 capacity Stade Ernest-Wallon, ground sharing with city Neighbours and 2020/21 Top 14 Champions, Stade Toulousain. Esteemed company to be sure!

A familiar name to be sure in the major European Rugby League scene, the side made their first foray into this neck of the woods by entering the 2005 challenge cup. The side, coached by former Hull KR coach Justin Morgan made it to the Semi’s, losing to eventual Runners up Leeds Rhinos. This was the furthest a French side had ever made it in the competition, until the Catalan Dragons went one step further in 2007, finishing as runners up in the first final at the New Wembley (we all know that they’ve since gone onto much better things though!)

It wouldn’t be until 2009, in the licensing era, that we would see Toulouse back in the British game, however. A two season stay in the championship, ending at the culmination of the 2010 season.

A return to France in 2011 saw silverware evade the side for their first two seasons back in the French topflight. However, they would go onto win the double in 2013/14 season winning both the Grand Final and the Lord derby cup, before retaining the Grand Final a year later.

In 2015 they would return to the British Game, entering League One in the 2016 season, going unbeaten throughout the regular season. Eventually, returning to the championship through the play-Offs. 2017 would see the French side finish just outside of the Middle 8 places. However, they would go onto win the Championship shield as the “Best of the Rest”.

Top 3 finishes followed in the next two seasons before the Covid-Hit 2020 season put any promotion hopes on ice for a year before a 2021 Championship Grand final win saw the side move to the Topflight for the first time in their history!

As quoted by Watto this week they are not side to be looked at as pushovers just because they were recently a Championship side. "This is a team who are used to winning, it doesn't matter what league that's in. So we need to make sure we match that (winning) mentality" said Watto. It's a new league, new season and anything can happen especially in the first game of the season.

It will be interesting to see what a second French side can achieve in the Super League! It can only benefit the French game as a whole. However, I’m sure all of us here at Huddersfield Giants are hoping James Cunningham isn’t able to get one over his former teammates come February 12th!

Remember we want to build one of the best Rugby League atmospheres at the John Smith's Stadium in recent memory on the 19th of February v Hull KR. There is so much activity on and off the field that day, so you need to get down and support the boys. Get your tickets from: www.giantsrl.com/tickets

Now let's get into the Super League season!

Bailey Russell