Benjamin Garcia from Avignon signed for Broncos a few months ago but I don't know if he already played a first grade game. So yes, Remi Casty is the first professionnal proper Frenchman to go to the NRL.

EDIT : Oops, Jerome Guisset played for Canberra Raiders long time ago (in 1999). So Remi is no longer the first frenchman to play in the NRL!

Great for the game.

Anyone know if there's any Americans with the potential to break into first grade over there? Read a few stories over the years about select Americans playing their trade in Aus, but then never hear anything after that.

Trent Robinson knows exactly what he's getting and Casty must fit their squad for next year.

Clint Newton was classed as American as he was born there but I believe he moved to Australia at a young age.

No, the game in the USA is in disarray at the moment with the USARL/AMNRL split and a lack of clear leadership on either side really hampering development.

Undoubtedly there are hundreds if not thousands of American athletes who could be standout players, but sadly most of them probably have no idea that RL exists.

Always enjoyed watching Remi Casty even when he was murdering us (i.e. every game being a Salford supporter!), good for the status of French RL, I hope he does well.

Someone earlier mentioned Jerome Guisset - I remember listening to a commentary on Radio Manchester a few years back when the unreconstructed Lancashire presenter (Jack Deardon I think) referred to him all through the game as Jerry Gusset !