Sunday 26 August 2018

French Rugby League team makes history

Dragons celebrate: Pic Ed Sykes/Reuters
Most rugby supporters in this part of the world are afficionados of the 15 man game (and increasingly the female version), but Rugby a XIII as rugby league is called is also popular. For the first time in 122 years the English Challenge Cup has been won by a team from outside England.
Catalan Dragons based in Perpignan have been competing in the UK leagues and cups since 2006, usually with little success. The club is bolstered, as are many of its XV man colleagues, by players from abroad, but the XIII version is growing in popularity in Occitanie.
The Dragons overcame favourites Warrington at Wembley by 20-14 in their historic win, promising a future impact on the game in the region.