Johnstone pain is over at long last

ISRAEL FOLAU’S road to redemption began with a try-scoring debut for his saviour club Catalans Dragons.

He scored a try with his first touch of the game and had French supporters on their feet.

Sam Tomkins finished with a hat-trick as the French outfit registered their first win of the year – but all eyes were on Folau.

The controversial centre, 30, was sacked by Australia Rugby Union for posting on social mdia that homosexuals were destined for hell.

He hit the ground running on his resurrection in Super League – a decade after his last match in the

13-a-side code.

“That’s what we want from Israel, nothing else,” said Dragons coach Steve McNamara. “We have signed a very talented player and he showed that.

“Everybody deserves a second chance. I hope we can move on now and just concentrate on the rugby league.

“When I sign a player I judge him on his playing abilities, not on his religious or political beliefs.”

The world’s media descended on Perpignan but any attempts by Castleford to steal the headlines were thwarted by an early onslaught from the hosts.

James Maloney found a gap for Tomkins to stride behind the posts and then Folau collected a high kick to touch down. Maloney’s conversions made it

12-0 after six minutes.

Tries from Castleford’s Derrell Olpherts from Cheyse Blair sandwiched a stunning Samisoni Langi effort to make it 20-12 at half-time.

Tomkins twisted over the line to extend the Dragons’ lead and when Olpherts was sin-binned for delaying a quick restart, they powered ahead.

Fouad Yaha capitalised on Tomkins’ crafty work to wedge an 18-point gap between the sides.

But the Tigers roared back into life, Danny Richardson’s 40-metre break sending winger James Clare over for a converted try.

Tomkins missed with a drop-goal attempt before he completed his treble and Maloney struck his sixth goal to secure the win.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell didn’t attend the post-match press conference.