Rugby League World Cup: The against the odds story of the first tournament in 1954

The first rugby league match played in France was an exhibition game between England and Australia in Paris in 1933. Before that, all rugby clubs in the country had been playing rugby union. The sport also had that whiff of rebellion about it, attracting support in a country that was rapidly changing politically. The Catalan and Basque clubs switched to rugby codes and the game was deemed the sport of emancipated. In 1936 elections had returned the Popular Front.

The Lions had just returned from Australia and New Zealand. Only three of the 26 players who had toured the Antipodes headed to France. The rest were second-string players offered £25 for three weeks away from home. They travelled by bus to reduce costs. British coach Joe Egan was asked to stay at home and no rugby balls went with the squad. Great Britain played Australia in Lyon on 31 October and against New Zealander in Bordeaux on 11 November. In the last match against hosts Toulouse, they drew 13-13. They would meet in the final at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 13 November, only two days after both teams had played their last qualifying match.