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York Knights will be hoping to secure their first victory over Toulouse Olympique in more than a decade when the two sides meet at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday evening (6pm).
York prevailed 30-28 in a thriller at Huntington Stadium back in April 2013, with Kriss Brining crossing for two tries as the Knights held off a late fightback from Toulouse to take the two points.
That triumph was York’s most recent victory over Toulouse, with Olympique winning the last nine meetings between the two clubs.
Four tries from Guy Armitage inspired a 36-0 win for the French giants over York back in February, with Andrew Henderson’s injury-hit and youthful side, who travelled across the Channel with just 16 fit and available players, producing a commendable performance with the odds stacked firmly against them.
This weekend's Betfred Championship clash sees Toulouse face York in a league match for the first time since April 2021.
In York’s first league match following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the visitors came out on top 21-6 at a behind-closed-doors LNER Community Stadium.
Ben Jones-Bishop gave the Knights a dream start inside the opening quarter of an hour with an intercept try but Toulouse showed their class thereafter to reel off three unanswered tries from Dominique Peyroux, Mitch Garbutt and Joe Bretherton. Anthony Marion added four goals, while Lloyd White contributed a late drop-goal.
Toulouse would win promotion at the end of that season, defeating Featherstone Rovers 34-12 in the Million Pound Game at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.
Sylvain Houles’ side will be hopeful of again toppling Featherstone in 2023, to earn an immediate return to the top-flight, having been relegated from the Betfred Super League with just five wins from 27 matches last year.
While Toulouse were able to boast a 100 per cent winning record in the Betfred Championship in 2021, they have found life far tough to date.
At the time of writing, Olympique trail leaders Featherstone by 10 points, having suffered league defeats to Bradford Bulls, Sheffield Eagles, Swinton Lions, Batley Bulldogs and London Broncos (twice).
A run of six wins from seven matches through June and July – which included a shock 36-18 upset of Featherstone at the Millennium Stadium – highlighted just why a genuine promotion challenge from the French outfit cannot be discounted.
York Knights will be seeking a fifth straight Betfred Championship victory this Saturday evening (6pm) against Toulouse Olympique at the LNER Community Stadium.
General Admission Adult tickets are priced at £20, Concession tickets at £15 and Under-16s are FREE. General admission tickets can be purchased online HERE.
Alternatively, General Admission tickets can be purchased through the Ticket Office (next door to the Club Shop) or by calling 01904 942232.
Hospitality Dining tickets are SOLD OUT but Premier Club tickets are still available. To book your Premier Club tickets, please email info@yorkrlfc.com, visit the Club Shop (Opening Hours: 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday) or call 01904 670880. #RiseUp | #WeAreYork
