Israel Folau spurns French rugby offer to stick with Super League

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Israel Folau. Picture: THE AGE

PARIS, 15 MAY 2020 (STUFF NZ) – Israel Folau has spurned an offer to play French rugby, instead looking to extend his Super League deal with the Catalan Dragons.

French media and news agency AFP are reporting that Top 14 powerhouse Montpellier wanted to sign the former Wallabies utility, approaching him during the current Covid-19 lockdown.

They are coached by Philippe Saint-Andre who was in charge of France at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Montpellier were prepared to ignore any controversy with Folau who ended his Australian rugby deal in a costly settlement after making homophobic comments on social media.

Folau has settled into the European league scene despite that controversy and he appears to have rewarded the Dragons for their faith in him.

French reports suggest he will add another year to his contract there and be involved for the 2021 season.

Folau made a sensational start for the France-based Super League side when he joined them in February. He took only five minutes to score a try on debut, helping the Dragons to a 36-18 win over Castleford.

It was the first taste of rugby league for the multi-code star in 10 years having last featured for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.

Folau managed only three games for Catalan before the Super League was suspended as the coronavirus pandemic hit hard in Europe.

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