"The year before Paris Saint-Germain were created, we all watched the English teams on TV - teams like Wigan, St Helens, Leeds and Bradford were big names. Hetherington, then head coach of the team, admitted he was watching from the stands thinking it was not going to be his side's night after seeing them fail to make the most of some early try-scoring chances, but still looks back with some fond memories. Catalans Dragons have been success because they have a big support and a lot of English supporters that travel to watch their teams play.". "We were all very excited about the news and each area of France had a selection tournament to see who would join the team - it was a new project and it was important for us all to step up if we were to compete in Super League. "It would be good to still have a team in Paris, but it is difficult as most of the rugby league in France is played down south. "In football, they just put a graphic up saying the VAR decision is pending and I think that loses it a little bit. What a honour it was to kickstart the @SuperLeague era against @PSG_English! We've got a very even competition now, which we've always strove for. "It's important for French rugby league to have these two teams because all French players have ambitions to play for them. "It's achieved some of its objectives and not others," Hetherington said. Yet there is an established French presence in the league now in the form of Perpignan-based Catalans Dragons. "It was a big moment for rugby league in France as we didn't have much media coverage to promote the sport and it was huge for the players as well - If France were going to compete against nations like England, New Zealand and Australia we needed a team in Super League. "It has developed into what it is today and I firmly believe we were trailblazers that night. No one more reliable than LeBron', Super League at 25: Fabien Devecchi recalls Paris Saint-Germain venture, We would like your feedback, please fill in our survey. To celebrate 25 seasons of Super League, Eddie Hemmings joined Sky Sports News to look back on the first match and how the competition has evolved since 1996. Here are his memories on that night at Stade Charlety, the impact the video referee has had on Super League and his thoughts on expansion…. "When we travelled to England to play them we could not believe we were playing against the teams we watched on TV - it was a huge experience for us because we were all very young at the time. Fabien Devecchi played 27 times for Paris Saint-Germain in Super League, including their opening night fixture with Sheffield Eagles, Paris Saint-Germain players on the front of French Rugby League magazine 'treize' following their opening night victory, It was a memorable start to the first Super League season in Paris, Fabien Devecchi scored his first Super League try in 1996 against London Broncos, Devecchi is now Head Coach of French Elite 1 side Villeneuve Leopards, Rashford awarded MBE for services to vulnerable children, Premier League announces pay-per-view fixtures, Southgate's selection dilemmas vs Belgium, Red Bull mull engine options but Mercedes rule out deal, Djokovic sets up dream French Open final with Nadal, Hamilton relishing 'serious challenge' of F1's two-day GP, 'Close-out game? No one more reliable than LeBron', Super League at 25: Eddie Hemmings' memories, We would like your feedback, please fill in our survey. After the Paris Saint-Germain venture came and went, Devecchi spent the 1998 season in England with Widnes - making 19 appearances for the club and touching down nine times for the Cheshire outfit. It was magic to play against them.". 🦅 #EaglesNewDawn https://t.co/894qAD6QMq. "The shortened winter season had just finished, Wigan had been crowned champions for the seventh time in and row, and then we boarded a plane and were off to Paris," Hemmings said. "If you look now at the stadia and compare the grounds we're playing in now, it's chalk and cheese. Looking back, it remains a memorable occasion for the man who commentated on rugby league for Sky Sports from 1990 to 2019. "It was the first big moment in my career - most of the squad played together in the French national team so we knew each other well. On the health and future of rugby league in France, Devecchi admits more needs to be done to spread the message and increase rugby league awareness. Devecchi came off the substitutes' bench on Super League's opening night and was with the club for both years of their existence, making 27 Super League appearances and scoring twice during his time with the club. "We were really excited to play and we knew we had to perform because we were playing on TV and it was the first ever game in Super League. It was first called into action during the clash between PSG and Sheffield to adjudicated on whether Fred Banquet had scored for the home side, with referee Stuart Cummings utilising the new technology on several occasions that evening. Central Park was Wigan's home during the first Super League season "I have only ever watched the highlights back from our first game - but each time I watch it I am very proud when I realise that I was a part of the first ever game in Super League. "It was a terrific atmosphere and with the French team winning, it made for a great start to Super League.". When Paris Saint-Germain were announced as one of the sides joining the European Super League over a quarter of a century ago, there was a real buzz and an air of excitement around the world of rugby league.

The Rock Net Worth, Subash Chandra Bose, 13 Assassins Netflix, The Winslow Boy True Story, Antony And Cleopatra Movie Cast, Two Wrongs Movie Wikipedia, Mf Doom Mask, A Winter Amid The Ice, Eat The Rich, Pair Of Kings Top Of The World, Ben Barclay Zendesk, Death At Broadcasting House, Pass The Light Netflix, Intolerance Full Movie, La Planche Des Belles Filles Tour De France, A Wreath For Emmett Till Sonnet 13, A Thousand Heads Agency, Baby Face Woman Reddit, Roosters Vs Broncos Highlights, The House I Live In Song, Whitstable Castle Directions, Lovesong (the Cure), Irma La Douce Movie Soundtrack, University Of Sussex Masters, Sia Face, One Day: Justice Delivered Amazon Prime, Still Meaning In Hindi, Martín Torrijos, Leroy Merlin, JAH Truth, Judith Mtg, Liam Name Origin, Gugudan Semina, Drew Henson 2020, Paranormal Activity 7 Release Date, Bigbang - Bad Boy, Godzilla Vs Mothra 2019, Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure Dailymotion, 6 Demons Names, The Second Chance Gymnastics Movie, Winner Cup Icon, Alone Yet Not Alone Movie, Dodgers Opening Day 2020 Tv, Greg Lemond Net Worth, 2019 Tour De France Stage 13, John Tavares, Frock Vs Dress, Robert Gant, Chris Hughes, Allari Alludu, The Princess Movie, Who Was That Lady?, How Old Was Nat King Cole When He Died, By The Grace Of God, Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Vhs, House At The End Of The Street The Final, Prom Meaning, Fatty McGee, Eliot Sumner Height, Sisteron Hotels, Maddie And Tae Playlist, Roberto Osuna, Creditors Meaning With Example, Alaska: The Last Frontier Cancelled, Lollipop Chainsaw Review, Legally Blonde Google Drive, Lady And The Tramp Imdb, Ninja 2, Marco Verratti Height In Cm, 55 Days At Peking Japanese Lyrics, West Australian West Coast Eagles, Dreamscape Architecture, Stage48 Wiki, Illusion Art, Sky High Tv Series Disney, Raajneeti Mp3 Songs, She Froze Synonym, Dick Fosbury, How Did Martin Luther King Jr Help Education, Paul Dano - Imdb, Braves Vs Mets Prediction, Emmanuel Macron Net Worth, Raj Karega Khalsa, The Man Who Fell To Earth Soundtrack, Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Mac, Zain Asher Baby, Time And Tide,