During the war years, like other rugby league clubs in France, the club were forced to play rugby union following the ban on rugby league by the Vichy regime in France.
In 1944, Toulouse reached the Semi-Final of the French Cup in rugby union.
In the meantime the Arnauné stadium was confiscated by the State, like most of the assets of the French Federation of rugby league. Following liberation by the Allies and the restoration of the French Championship, the club were on the losing side twice when they met Carcassonne in the finals for the 1944-45 and 1945-46 competitions.
After two decades away from the top, another strong team emerged that included Pierre Lacaze and under coach Georges Aillères having finished runner-up in the league in 63/64, they then lifted their first league title the following season beating US Villeneuve in the final 47-15.
During the 1960s they also reached four cup finals but lost them all, 1962 against RC Roanne XIII 10-16, 1963 against AS Carcassonne 0-5, 1964 against US Villeneuve 2-10 and 1968 against AS Carcassonne 2-9. During the early 70s they lifted two more league titles, in season 72/73 they beat Marseille XIII 18-0 and in 74/75 they beat AS Saint Esteve 10-9. Their 1976 cup final defeat to XIII Catalan 8-23 would be their last final appearance in either league or cup until the new millennium.
The club played in the Rugby Football League's Championship competition in 2009 and 2010. They returned to the Elite One Championship in 2011, but in 2016 again joined the RFL system, this time in League 1, the third tier of English rugby league, being promoted to the Championship at the end of that season.
Toulouse are a club steeped in history and with Catalans success in this years Challenge cup Rugby League in the South of France is alive and kicking. Perhaps two French Teams in Super League is not that far on the horizon.
Thursdays game.
The Qualifiers equation has started to look a little complicated this week with 6 sides still in with a shout of Super League status for 2019.
For Salford Red Devils the maths is really quite simple. Victory on Thursday night is all they need to be safe. Ian Watson welcomes back Jackson Hastings from suspension which should give the hosts a huge boost. Toulouse proved last weekend they are a very dangerous proposition with a sparkling display to put Hull Kingston Rovers away 34-23. With what’s at stake this game has all the tension and nerves of a Million pound game but just a week early. For Salford supporters defeat is unthinkable, this would leave the Red Devil’s hanging on for other results to fall in there favour over the weekend.
Once again it’s a game not to be missed.
Enjoy the match everyone.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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