French leaders call for NRL ‘help’ in impassioned plea for Super League deal

France head coach Laurent Frayssinous and captain Ben Garcia have issued a direct plea for assistance from the NRL to help grow rugby league in France. The comments came following France's record 78-4 World Cup defeat to Samoa, which marked the nation's heaviest loss in tournament history. Their appeal coincides with stalled negotiations, as the deadline passed earlier in the week without an official partnership agreed between the NRL and Super League.

Frayssinous highlighted the widening performance gap between the Australian competition and European rugby league, arguing that Super League is not evolving as quickly. Both leaders urged the NRL to invest in European grassroots development, strategy, and infrastructure, with Garcia emphasizing the severe resource challenges faced by players and staff attempting to sustain the sport in France.