France captain Ben Garcia’s desperate plea, trying to keep rugby league alive in France, Trent Robinson

French captain Benjamin Garcia has issued an impassioned plea for greater support of the game in his home country as the nation prepares for its opening match of this year’s World Cup campaign.

As France prepares for another World Cup appearance, Garcia has warned rugby league is fighting for survival in France because a lack of financial backing and media exposure is hindering its growth.

Watch Australia’s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports. WATCH NOW!

“We still have a lot of work to still be alive in France,” Garcia told foxsports.com.au.

“Football is massive. Rugby union is massive too. They have all the media and a lot of finance, but in France we try to survive in rugby league.

“That’s why I’m proud, because the French team, we all want to play for the French comp and it’s something different.”

The French captain believes the presence of the Catalans Dragons and Toulous Olympique in the Super League has helped drive the sport’s development.

The shift has dramatically transformed the national team, with Garcia believing France is entering a new era as more players gain experience at the highest level.

“I think with the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse who now play in the Super League, it’s the first time, I think, for the French team that we are all professional,” Garcia said.

“It’s a big change for us and the coach didn’t take some players who were playing in the Super League this year.

“In the past, we’ve had a lot of players who played in the French comp, so they weren’t professional, so I think it’s a massive change for the group.”

Despite the progress, he knows French rugby league is still a long way from enjoying the resources and exposure that it has in Australia.

“It’s still hard. I think your point of view is based in Australia when you’ve got the NRL and all the fans and media and we just try to survive in France and it’s really hard,” he continued.

“We are always in the balance, but we are still people fighting because we’re so passionate about the league and the sport.

“We need help. We need help here.”

As he prepares to face Samoa on Friday evening, Garcia believes sending more French players to compete in the NRL or Australia’s lower leagues could help raise the sport’s profile back in France and, in turn, inspire the next generation.

“We need help to be honest…I’m pretty sure if we get some help, because of the quality of the sport, it will take off easily,” he added.

“I’m pretty sure having some French players come to Australia and maybe play in the NRL will grow the sport.”

Garcia knows first-hand the impact opportunity can have, having spent several years in Australia early in his career as he pursued his childhood dream.

The French utility forward first arrived in Brisbane in 2012, earning an opportunity with the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in the QLD Cup before spending time in the Brisbane Broncos Under-20s system.

He later joined the Penrith Panthers in 2016, where he gained valuable experience, then returned to France and became a mainstay of the Catalans Dragons.

“A French guy was in Brisbane. He still lives in Brisbane and he was involved in the club at Wynnum-Manly Seagulls,” he explained.

“I received a call and he told me you want to come try pre-season for two months and if you are good enough, you can stay?

“So I did the pre-season and I stayed for two years. It helped me a lot.”

Although Garcia would welcome more French players moving to Australia, he insists returning to the NRL was never a major ambition for him after his stint with the Panthers.

“To be totally honest, they don’t need me here. There are so many players but it was always a dream of mine as a little Frenchie to come to Australia and live my dream,” he elaborated.

“I had a good time in my club at Catalans Dragons and it was my club, so I was really enjoying my footy. After Penrith, it wasn’t really a target for me to come back.”

He also spoke about the influence of Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson who is currently the Director of Rugby for the French national team.

“It’s massive for us. It brings a lot of spotlight and attention,” he said.

“He’s really humble. He doesn’t have so much time, but he gives us his time, and it’s something I can really appreciate.

“I will not speak about his quality because I don’t need to. He’s one of the best coaches in the sport and it’s really good to have him with us.”