2025 Season Review: Toulouse Olympique

Your 2025 Betfred Championship Champions.

Toulouse Olympique were one of the standout teams in the 2025 Betfred Championship, with Sylvain Houles once again steering their ship to success.

Toulouse finished in second spot for a second successive year, before going on to win the Championship Grand Final as the underdogs.

? An afternoon to remember for @TOXIII! pic.twitter.com/Cq4LJglL7h

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) October 5, 2025

Finally, their Grand Final curse was lifted, after losing back-to-back finals in 2023 and 2024.

? Finally getting to lift the @Betfred Championship Grand Final trophy!

? Congratulations, @TOXIII pic.twitter.com/IUPeHbmR6r

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) October 5, 2025

It has been another strong year for the French side, winning 18 matches and enjoying another impressive home record at their fortress, Stade Ernest-Wallon.

They endured just two defeats on home soil at either end of the year – falling short to Widnes Vikings in Round 1 and York Knights in Round 23.

Toulouse may have also suffered a couple of unexpected losses on the road throughout 2025, but overall, have been one of the most consistent sides in the second tier – and can play some exciting and expansive rugby league.

Some opposition may have pushed them all the way for large parts of the games, but when Toulouse turn it on, they can score points, and eventually their superior class shows.

And unlike most, they have managed to keep a similar squad together for several seasons now.

Whether it’s star full-back and speedster Olly Ashall-Bott scoring tries for fun, half-back Jake Shorrocks acting as danger man, Paul Ulberg and Reubenn Rennie combining on that lethal left edge, or Anthony Marion, their loyal captain, guiding them around the park, Toulouse have real team spirit.

Perhaps this togetherness is what saw them go on to win the final. They firstly had to beat Bradford in a third consecutive semi-final, which they did, before really grinding out a victory against a formidable York side who were hunting a historic treble.

And now, they are embarking on a return to Super League for the first time since 2022 and have a lot of players in their squad who competed at the top last time out.

Toulouse and Houles know exactly what to expect in the top flight, but we’ll have to wait and see how they fare in 2026…

Welcome back, Olympique!