Catalans Dragons sign ex-Australia full-back in cross-code switch

Sacked Australia rugby union international Israel Folau has made a switch back to rugby league with a move to Super League club Catalans Dragons.

Folau reached a settlement with Australia Rugby in December after he was released for writing homophobic posts on social media in April.

He was sacked for saying "hell awaits" gay people, after previously being warned over his social media posts.

Folau, 30, has signed a one-year deal with the French club.

The Rugby Football League and Super League said they "deplored" Folau's previous comments and it was "a difficult decision" to allow him into the competition.

Super League chief executive chairman Robert Elstone said "strict guidelines are in place" to avoid Folau again making such comments and warned that a repeat would see the player's contract being "terminated immediately". Catalans also face a "substantial fine" if Folau was to do so.