"Why Paris Could Outshine Barcelona: RL Returns to the French Capital"

BEN Garcia hopes this is not just one edition of the Paris match, but the start of something long lasting.

And no disrespect to Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium, this is bigger.

Catalans captain Ben Garcia hopes today’s match in Paris si the start of something big for rugby league in France. Credit: CATALANS DRAGONS

Catalans have taken their 20^th anniversary celebrations to the French capital against Wigan, who they faced in their debut in 2006.

Then, Garcia was a teenaged fan caught up in the excitement. Today, he is captain of the Dragons looking to further their impact in their home nation.

And taking rugby league back to Paris – where St Germain had a side for a year after Super League’s inception in 1996 – can take the sport to the next level.

Even more so than attracting a record crowd for their match against Wigan in Barcelona in 2019.

He said: “This is as big as Barcelona, maybe even bigger.

“Being in Paris means a lot. All the big companies are there, so it’s good to show that we still exist in the north of France. It will be really important to make this event really special.

“Rugby league isn’t really played throughout France. We have a few clubs in Paris, but that’s it. So we need to make a statement because people know about rugby, but not rugby league.

“The final of the French Super 13 is being played just before, so it will be important for them to play in Paris. All of France’s rugby league community will be in Paris.

“And it can interest maybe the media or other sponsors who don’t know about rugby league to follow up after that.

“I hope this isn’t the only match in Paris, but this game probably dictates the next game there. It needs to be a success to have the possibility of being back in Paris soon.”

Garcia believes this could be even bigger than when they faced Wigan at Barcelona’s Nou Camp. Credit: FC BARCELONA

At 33-years-old, Garcia is a bit too young to remember Paris St Germain, but he clearly remembers Catalans’ inception – and that first match against Wigan, which they won 38-30.

In those two decades, the club has attracted big crowds and big name players. It has also won the Challenge Cup in 2018 and been to Super League’s Grand Final twice.

Yet in France, they are tucked away in the far south and national impact is restricted.

“We couldn’t imagine what Catalans have achieved in 20 years,” Garcia added. “A few other clubs with 100 years of history have never been in the Super League Grand Final and never won a trophy.

“I remember that first match very well. I played alongside some of the players and it was amazing for all young boys who love rugby league to have this chance and a club in Super League.

Garcia was a teenaged fan when Catalans played their first match in 2006. Credit: SWPIX.COM

“It meant a lot to not have to go across to England to play a sport we love in our country.

“What the club has already done is massive and this needs to keep going.

“We work really hard and we play with a lot of French players, but it’s really difficult because we believe the sport isn’t really big in France.

“But the club has done everything possible and it’s a really attractive club because of Paris, because of Barcelona.”