Casty calls it a day as his Toulouse hit Super League

FORMER Catalans Dragons captain Remi Casty expressed his delight after helping Toulouse join his former club in Super League, but insisted he would not be around to play in the French derbies next season.

The 36-year-old former France Test prop, who was discarded by the Dragons at the end of 2020, confirmed his retirement after Toulouse’s 34-12 victory over Featherstone in the Million Pound Game, which ensured Huddersfield Giants would be facing two French teams in the top flight next year.

“It’s over,” Casty said. “This was the last dance.

“This club has fought for 10 years to get into Super League. It tried in 2005 when Catalans won but kept going and I’m thrilled for the club and for French rugby league.

“I’m disappointed Catalans lost (in the Super League Grand Final) but French rugby league is going up.”

Centre Mathieu Jussaume scored two of Toulouse’s five tries and full-back Mark Kheirallah kicked seven goals from eight attempts as Sylvain Houles’ side made it 20 wins in a row to the delight of a crowd of 9,235 at Stade Ernest Wallon.

“I’m lost for words, it’s unbelievable,” Houles said. “Who would have thought a few years ago we would have a packed ground for a Grand Final who help get us promoted into Super League?

“They pushed the boys all the way, it’s magnificent.”

Toulouse led 16-0 at half-time and were forced to withstand a Featherstone fightback before clinching victory thanks to late tries from veterans Harrison Hansen and Johnathon Ford.

“In the second half, we let them come back but the boys really dug deep and managed to get some points,” said Ford.

“The boys have been outstanding all season, I can’t credit them enough. We planned everything and when it works it’s unbelievable.”

Ford, a 32-year-old Cook Islands international who has been with Toulouse since 2011, says promotion will be a major boost for the 13-man code in the south of France.

“It’s huge,” he said. “It’s big for rugby league in general to see the growth of the game, not just for us but for the community of Toulouse and rugby league in France.”