Toulouse Olympique ended a 20-year bid for Super League as Harrison Hansen helped them seal victory in the Million Pound Game.
The French side had to withstand a stirring second half comeback from part-time Featherstone before the vastly experienced Hansen - who lost in this fixture for Leigh four years ago - made the game safe in the closing stages.
Toulouse had a Super League licence application rejected in 2003, entered the English league three years later, and after briefly returning to the French competitions, rejoined in 2015.
This year they were forced to play their entire league campaign away from home with quarantine restrictions preventing opposing teams from travelling, at an estimated cost of €500,000 in chartered flights.
But they returned home for the play-offs to triumph in front of a bumper crowd in the French city, and will now join Catalans in the top tier. Coach Sylvain Houles said: “It’s unbelievable.
“Who would have thought a few weeks ago we’d have a packed ground and be in Super League?
“The beginning of the second half was very tough but the boys dug really deep. They’ve been outstanding all season and I can’t credit them enough.”
Toulouse had looked in total control when they led 16-0 after the opening 25 minutes. They opened the scoring when Mathieu Jussaume took a Dom Peyroux and beat four Featherstone defenders to touch down.
Former Catalans playmaker Tony Gigot then kicked perfectly for Latrell Schaumkel to finish out wide. Three penalties and a conversion from full-back Mark Kheirallah gave Toulouse an imposing half-time lead, but Rovers stirred after the restart after Brett Ferres crossed.
Although Jussaume responded after smart work from another ex-Dragon in Éloi Pélissier, John Davies kept Featherstone hopes alive by crashing over.
But Kheirallah eased any Toulouse nerves with another penalty before late tries from Hansen and Johnathon Ford sealed matters.
Rovers coach James Webster said: “I’m ultra proud of my team - they were really courageous. Toulouse were outstanding in that first 20 minutes and it sucked so much energy out of us, but we’ve got no excuses.”
