Australian tour boosts development of French talent

French Under 19s coach Remi Casty believes the team’s tour to Australia could help propel some players into contention for World Cup spots if France qualify for RLWC2026.

After a recent match in France against Kirwan SHS, Casty has bought the squad to Australia for a series of games and to experience rugby league at the highest level.

The team trained with the Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg side, which includes 20-year-old French centre/secondrower Enzo Griffier, attended last weekend’s clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons and watched the club’s NRL squad train.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who is also FFRXIII director of rugby, addressed the players after a tour of the club's Centre of Excellence on Monday and has been on hand at their matches.

The French squad also attended the State of Origin decider at Accor Stadium.

“For the boys it was a great experience. For them it's a dream,” said Casty, who played for the Roosters in 2014 and made 337 Super League appearances for Catalans.

“It's the same as football or soccer in France, but I think that rugby league in Australia is bigger than football is in France.

“When you don’t know and you come here, it is amazing to see and hear everyone talking about rugby league everywhere you go. It’s something new for them and it is good for them to experience this.”

France have played Wests Tigers Cubs and East Campbelltown Eagles, whose 2022 team included Lachlan Galvin, Tallyn Da Silva and Kit and Luke Laullili.

A third game is scheduled against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday before the team returns to Sydney to watch Wests Tigers play the Gold Coast Titans at Leichhardt Oval ahead of their departure on Tuesday.

Casty said the matches had given the players an understanding of what’s required to play in the NRL and compete at international level.

“The aim is for them is to play against the best,” he said. “It is tough. We play against England and we are maybe 50-50 win/loss with them but here they can see it is hard every game and every day.

“Skill-wise, physically, mentally, tactically – everything is better, so we have to show them that if you want to play like that you have to work harder and do it by yourself.

“Maybe some players want to come to Australia to play so it's something we can do for them.”

Prop Giovanni Descalzi has been 18th man for Catalans and centre Lenny Marc is also closing in on a Super League debut, while halfback Mathis Frayssinous was in the French squad which hosted Morocco in February. 

Casty is an assistant to Laurent Frayssinous with the French men's team who play Jamaica at Albi on October 25 for a place at next year’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

If France qualify for RLWC2026, Casty said some of the Under 19s players may be ready for selection.

“We don’t know how fast they will grow up but maybe one or two can be in the World Cup if we qualify against Jamaica,” Casty said.

“It will be tough because everyone wants to go to the World Cup, but we have to be confident, as a culture and with the history of our country, that rugby league in France is better than Jamaica, so we have to do it on the field.”

Griffier, who has played two Tests for France, joined the Roosters in 2023 along with fellow Frenchman Sacha Kouassi, who made his international debut earlier this year against Morocco.

“He has been here now for two years with he has improved, physically and mentally," Casty said of Griffier.

"I coached him with the French team two or three years ago and he’s not the same player. We did an opposed session with the Roosters and you can see that he has improved.

"If he is not playing in the NRL we know that when he comes back to play Super League or for France that he will be a good player."