Once is not custom, Old Trafford will roar in full international truce. The Mancunian lair will not vibrate thanks to the performances of Cristiano Ronaldo, but rather to the sounds of the spectators of Rugby League, for the final of the English Super League. For the first time, the Catalan Dragons, based in Perpignan and admitted to the British championship since 2006, are invited to the big meeting against Saint Helens, Saturday 9 October (7 p.m.). For its part, Toulouse Olympique XIII will try to join the elite against Featherstone, the next day at the same time.
A moment of history, for a discipline little known in France. 10 of the 12 teams in the national championship are in Occitanie, and the last two – Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Avignon – are not far from it. To understand the scope of this double event and the evolution of rugby union in France, franceinfo: sport interviewed Mike Rylance, British historian author of the books Rugby forbidden and Boldness and fight devoted to the subject.
franceinfo: sport : Historically, has rugby union been more popular than XV?
Mike Rylance : Not in number of clubs, no. But until 1939, it was clear that the XIII was gaining strength, while the XV was declining. The war intervened, then everything changed. The Quinzists, seeing the number of players who had gone to XIII, seized the moment to get rid of this ‘dangerous rival’. They used the pretext of professionalism, prohibited by Vichy. Unofficially, the players were paid at XV, but we did not say it, it remained officially an amateur sport.
In 1951, when France defeated the Australians at home, it was said to be the second golden age of the 13th. But afterwards, the XV has always been more widespread, until today.
In 1981, the final of the French championship was interrupted after a few minutes by a general fight. This is the last broadcast of a final on TF1 …
Everyone remembers this final! It was a time when sport in general was much more violent than it is today. But nothing can excuse the behavior of the players at the start of the match.
The media seized on the event to explain that the XIII was a very violent sport, that we had never seen this kind of brutality. It was not quite true, but it caused a sensation: it is the first time that a national final has not come to an end.
Does this incident explain the lack of media coverage of the discipline today?
Not really, no. It was 40 years ago, most journalists, if they are aware of it, do not seem to pay much attention to this event. Above all, there has been a long decline, which started earlier, with the growth in the number of players at XV. The XIII found it difficult to gain media attention, as it was played in a relatively limited territory. We didn’t have a national profile.
There was indeed an attempt, with the creation of Paris Saint-Germain at XIII (in the 1990s, the club joined the Super League for two years, editor’s note). But the club was not very well prepared. There was neither the funding nor the popular base that we have in Toulouse or Perpignan today.
| Official presentation of the Grand Final at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/ri0u5cewOy
– Catalan Dragons (@DragonsOfficiel) October 7, 2021
Can this historic weekend give new impetus to this practice?
The Treizists hope so! This is going to be important, but we have to start with the small clubs. We must teach more young people to play XIII. But just the fact that you called me to talk about this event proves that, for once, the media are starting to take an interest in the discipline.
The fact that two teams play at this professional level in France, with two meetings per year, should attract a lot of people in the event of Toulouse rising. There, they expect to attract up to 30,000 spectators! This is a very good thing, and I hope it will help make a difference.
As well as the possible organization of the 2025 World Cup?
Yes, especially since the Federation wants matches to be played throughout France. It would be the first time in a long time (1972, editor’s note) that France would host the World Cup alone. At least people would become more aware of this hidden discipline for too long.
In England, how is the incorporation of two French clubs in the national championship viewed?
At the same time that they welcome French clubs, the English leaders are cautious. If a second French club does not bring in spectators, that could be a problem. Especially since the budgets of British clubs are impacted by the crisis. But in general, we recognize that it is necessary to try to develop the XIII, in France as in England. We welcome Toulouse, if they are promoted of course!