Union Treiziste Catalane

Union Treiziste Catalane are a French rugby league club from the town of Perpignan in the south of France. They were formed as a merger of the famous XIII Catalan and St Esteve clubs. They are also known as UTC or Les Catalans.

Related Topics:
Rugby league - Perpignan - France - XIII Catalan - St Esteve

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They were selected ahead of Toulouse and Villeneuve to enter Super League in 2006 under the name Les Catalans. It is hoped that they will form the backbone of the national team. The club has as its target that 75% of the players will be qualified to play for France.

Related Topics:
Super League - 2006 - National team

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This will not be the first time that a French side has played in Super League, though the first attempt, Paris Saint Germain, lasted only two seasons. Part of Paris' problem was that both codes of rugby have their stronghold in the south of France, whilst the north of France is more soccer friendly. Another problem was that their players were on loan from French league clubs and had to play for their own clubs as well.

Related Topics:
Both codes of rugby - France

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To ensure that UTC have the best French players available to them French rugby league has decided that they can sign players from other French clubs without paying a transfer fee. They have also been promised that they will not be relegated from Super League for three years even if they finish bottom.

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Many believe that UTC will be joined by other French clubs in the Super League though the whole idea of expanding into France is not without its critics among the supporters of British rugby league clubs.

Related Topics:
Super League - British rugby league clubs

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