MOROCCO RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL ARENA TO FACE FRANCE

Morocco will make their reintroduction into the international arena when they face France in a men’s senior international on Saturday 22 February at the Parc Des Sports, Avignon (kick off 17.00, local time).

It will be the North African nation’s first fixture since a 38-10 loss at the hands of Nigeria in October 2019 at the Middle East Africa Championships. The match also sees them enter into a partnership with the French federation to assist in the development of the game in Morocco which will see the creation of opportunities for the development of players, coaches and match officials to raise overall standards.

Olivier Janzac, who has previous experience as France women’s head coach, will take charge of the Moroccan squad and will meet on Saturday 8 February for an initial training day.

Yamina Abdesselem, president of the Fédération Marocaine de Rugby à XIII, commented: “We are proud to take this historic step by facing the French national team. This match symbolizes the start of a fruitful collaboration for the development and promotion of rugby league in Morocco particularly among young people and women. We are determined to grow these disciplines and inspire a new generation of players.”

France’s team will be drawn from players from their domestic competitions with Maxime Gresèque taking charge, and the collaboration marks further Africa development initiatives after Les Bleu’s pioneering trip to Kenya in December 2023.

Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII president, Dominique Baloup, noted: “As a major European Rugby League nation, France is pleased to promote this match against the Moroccan national team. After the partnership agreements that we have sealed with the Moroccan Federation, it is a first concrete step which will follow with others for women’s and youth rugby league.”