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Folau poised to end 10-month lay-off with Perpignan debut


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Ex-Wallaby Israel Folau could make his Super League debut as early as next Sunday after his arrival in France last weekend. 

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The controversial 30-year-old, who had his contract terminated by Rugby Australia following homophobic remarks last year, has had to turn to rugby league to get back into professional sport. 

However, the announcement that he was joining Catalan Dragons caused an immediate backlash with one club, Wigan Warriors, even designating their home match with the French-based team next month as their official Pride Day.

Despite the criticism, Folau slipped into France at the weekend and has been getting down to business at his new club with a view to potentially making a debut in next Sunday’s visit to Wakefield in England. 

Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Yannick Rey, the communications manager for the Catalan Dragons, said: “He arrived on Sunday. We did not want to spread the word. We want him to train in complete serenity so that he can play as quickly as possible.”

(Continue reading below…)

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Folau’s last match was a Super Rugby game for the Waratahs versus the Blues last April, but Perpignan are hopeful he can quickly dust off the cobwebs and get going on the pitch. 

He met his new team-mates on Monday and was due to take physical tests on Tuesday. “If he is fit to play on Sunday, he will play,” continued the Catalan spokesperson. The French side opened their new campaign with a home defeat to Huddersfield. 

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WATCH: Rugby Australia reaches settlement in their legal battle with Israel Folau

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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