Toulouse have ambitions of becoming the second French team in the competition. "We had a five-year plan to take us to Super League and 2020 was our fourth year," head coach Sylvain Houles said. "To be fair, if we are not ready now, I can't see what the next stage is."
Sunday 13 December 2020 22:15, UK
No sooner had Toulouse Olympique announced their intention to apply for the vacant place in Super League for next year than they were wheeling out the big guns to showcase their backing for the French club.
The city's mayor, former players and past club presidents and even Didier Lacroix, president of the Stade Toulousain rugby union club, have all recorded videos of support underlining why they believe Toulouse should join compatriots Catalans Dragons in British rugby league's top flight.
Perhaps the most notable name, though, at least in a rugby league sense, to have thrown his support behind the bid is none other than Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson, who ended his playing days in the south of France and started his coaching career the club.
"Toulouse have been preparing themselves for decades for this," Robinson said. "They've been seen to push the limits in business and in sport across Europe and it's time for rugby league to feel the impact of Toulouse.
"I'm very proud of my history at Toulouse and I know there is a strong foundation for rugby league in the Super League through Toulouse Olympique.
"The town, the people and the supporters have soul. They're a proud people who love rugby league and also love their city, and I know that will be a benefit to Super League throughout the future."
It is probably easy to forget that Toulouse had been due to be part of Super League's first season in 1996 along with Paris Saint-Germain when the concept was first announced, although ultimately only the side from the French capital took to the field in the new era of summer rugby.
While PSG lasted just two years, though, the competition has had a French presence since 2006 in the form of Perpignan-based Catalans and it has long been Toulouse's ambition to join them.
Dragons owner Bernard Guasch is among those to express his support for their bid too and Toulouse head coach Sylvain Houles is in no doubt having a second French side in Super League would be a massive boost to rugby league in the country.
"A healthy rivalry between us and the Catalans would be huge and that game would be something everyone could look forward to being played," Houles told Sky Sports earlier this year.
"We need to create a moment or something which structures everyone's minds in the south-west of France, and attract new partners, sponsorship, television and supporters to a big moment two or even three times in a season."
A healthy rivalry between us and the Catalans would be huge and that game would be something everyone could look forward to being played.
The six-time French champions had already made a name for themselves on this side of the Channel prior to Catalans joining Super League, though, thanks in no small part to their incredible run to the 2005 Challenge Cup semi-finals while still a part-time team.
Toulouse are now a full-time set-up following their return to the British professional game four years ago, having previously played in the Championship from 2009 to 2011, but that is just one of the changes they have made off the field as part of their plan to earn a Super League place.
The ambition of the club and president Bernard Sarrazain was underlined by them securing an agreement to share Stade Toulousain's 19,500-capacity Stade Ernest Wallon home, drawing healthy four-figure attendances for their first three home games in 2020 before the Championship season was curtailed.
Toulouse were sitting top of the table with five wins from five prior to the cancellation of the season for all rugby below Super League due to the covid-19 pandemic and they have boosted their squad for next year with the signings of St Helens pair Joseph Paulo and Dominique Peyroux, plus Mitch Garbutt and Eloi Pelissier.
"We had a five-year plan to take us to Super League and 2020 was our fourth year," Houles told PA Media last month. "To be fair, if we are not ready now, I can't see what the next stage is.
"Our structure now is one of the best in the Super League, the Ernest Wallon Stadium is a magnificent ground to watch rugby - I do believe we are ready for 2021."
