Toulouse relegated after Dragons defeat

Toulouse Olympique's relegation from Super League was confirmed on Thursday after they went down 24-14 at home to fellow French side Catalans Dragons.

Fouad Yaha's first-half hat-trick put the Dragons in the ascendancy, but all of those were unconverted and Toulouse had cut the deficit to four points by half-time.

Chris Hankinson's converted try and a penalty from the same player ensured the hosts trailed 12-8 at the break, with Catalans' Josh Drinkwater sent to the sin-bin as well for a professional foul.

But Gil Dudson's finish and a solo score from Tyrone May, who converted both as well, ensured the Dragons emerged victorious while at the same time confirming their compatriots' return to the Betfred Championship for 2023.

The first-ever Super League derby in France's fourth-largest city was supposed to light the blue touchpaper of renaissance for the game in the country but resulted in relegation for the Olympians at the hands of a dominant Dragons display.

The Dragons were first to score in the seventh minute when a Sam Tomkins kick to the Toulouse defence was patted into the arms of Matt Whitley who put winger Yaha in at the left corner, with Drinkwater unable to convert from the touchline.

Yaha doubled his tally five minutes later thanks to a 10-metre rocket pass from Tomkins to dive over in the same corner, Drinkwater again failing to find the mark with the kick from wide.

The hat-trick was secured for Yaha in the 25th minute when back row Whitley was again provider with the final pass and the Dragons were 12-0 ahead.

Toulouse hit back in the 34th minute when Hankinson needed video referee approval for grounding his try to put the hosts back in the contest. Hankinson converted his own score for 12-6.

A yellow