France set for ‘nearly £10 million’ in NRL investment as nation campaign for more Test matches

France looks set to be well-supported by the NRL following their plea for help after the World Cup and that support could eventuate in the European nation taking part in the Pacific Championships.

Those representing France at this year’s Rugby League World Cup have made no secret of their desire for more help, with captain Benjamin Garcia making a plea very early in the tournament and those same pleas were heard after their devastating third and final group game.

That saw Les Bleus lose in golden point to Lebanon but the intensity of the contest sparked some serious interest in France and as such, the NRL are reportedly considering a support deal with Peter V’landys, head of the ARLC, recently stating: “France is high on our agenda”.

It’s now been revealed just how willing the ARLC and NRL are to invest with the president of French rugby league (FFR), Dominuque Baloup, revealing to L‘Equipe that the NRL are ready to ‘invest heavily’.

Details of NRL deal to save France rugby league emerge

Baloup would then put a monetary value on what that heavy investment could represent, adding: “Nearly £10 million for broadcasters to take the NRL, the Super League and the Federation’s events.”

Such money could help transform French rugby league but another thing that is required is for the national team to play more meaningful Test matches, akin to the intensity of the clash with Lebanon.

A solution to that problem may also be on the way, with Baloup revealing that France are campaigning to play in the Pacific Championships – the end-of-season international tournament between the Pacific Nations.

Playing in the second tier of that competition would see them come up against the lies of Fiji, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea and Baloup argued France’s case, stating: “With New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, we are also a Pacific nation.”

Moreover, a system that sees France’s best young talent go to Australia to develop at a French-speaking school in Sydney would also aid the sport’s development in the youth ranks, with Baloup stating: “I think our kids are destined to do a year of immersion at Condorcet High School in Sydney and to play in Australian clubs.

“Maybe on that, out of 20 kids, there will be five who will stay on Sydney clubs because they will be in a high-level process and out of the five, there may be one, or even two who will have a future in NRL. And the others will feed the Super League.”