Toulouse Olympique forward Dom Peyroux has backed players for “standing up for what they believe in” after a Covid dispute that has overshadowed preparations for their first season in the Betfred Super League.
Current rules in France mean anyone wishing to enter sporting venues, including participating athletes, have to be vaccinated against Covid-19. That has left some players opposed to the vaccine with huge dilemmas. Club captain Johnathan Ford has already walked, with star full-back Mark Kheirallah set to follow suit, leaving Toulouse without the two main strike weapons who helped fire them to their sensational promotion from the Betfred Championship.
“Losing the captain and the vice captain has been a shame for the club but we can’t force someone to do what they don’t want to do,” Peyroux told The Sportsman.
“It’s been tough. Everyone has been excited for the season, the history for the club, and the new players, everybody is raring to go.
“So it’s definitely been tough losing Jonno Ford who has been massive for the team over the last ten years and Mark Kheirallah as well. They have helped the club get where it is today and credit to them but unfortunately it has come to this and it is such a shame for them to finish the way it has.
“But you can’t force someone to do something that is against their beliefs so good on them for standing up for what they believe in. I’m sure we’ll be alright as a team, last week against Catalans was a challenge but we need to come together, move forward and help each other out.
“It’s a loss for us and it is hard to fill those boots but we have good leaders and good players. They have done a lot for the club and for it to come to this is a shame for everyone. But we move on and move forward as a team.”
The French club were sensational in winning promotion from the Betfred Championship last season, having played an exhilarating, expansive brand of rugby league that is sure to win them plenty of new fans in Super League.
Ironically the club they replace in Super League - relegated Leigh, have an owner in Derek Beaumont who has been both vocal and forthright with his support for non-vaccinated players.
“It’s not about the sport it’s about people’s right to decide what they put in THEIR own bodies,” he tweeted at Christmas.
“Vaccinated players will be treated no differently to unvaccinated players at my club pure and simple”.
Peyroux meanwhile remains upbeat that the Toulouse squad can overcome a difficult start to the year to be competitive in the big league.
“The plan is to stay in Super League,” said the 33-year old, a Grand Final winner with St Helens.
“There was so much pressure to get out of the Championship and it means so much to the French boys to have another team in there.”
