Franck Maria

Last updated
Franck Maria
Personal information
Full nameFranck Maria
Born (1997-07-31) 31 July 1997 (age 28)
Height6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Weight16 st 5 lb (104 kg)
Playing information
Position Prop, Lock
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2016–19 Saint-Estève 2590036
2019–20 Villeneuve 30000
2021–23 FC Lézignan 2640016
2023– Saint-Estève 192008
2024– Catalans Dragons 240000
Total97150060
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2022– France B 10000
2023– France 20000
Source: [1] [2] [3]
As of 10 January 2026

Franck Maria (born 31 July 1997) is a French rugby league footballer who plays as a prop or loose forward for the Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Super League and France at international level.

Contents

He has previously played for Saint-Estève XIII Catalan, Villeneuve and FC Lézignan in the Elite One Championship

Background

Maria was born in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France. He is the younger brother of former professional rugby league footballer Antoni Maria.

He graduated through the Catalans Dragons Academy system.

Career

Club career

Saint-Estève XIII Catalan

Maria played for Saint-Estève XIII Catalan in the Elite One Championship between 2017 and 2019.

In 2018 he won the Lord Derby Cup when Saint-Estève beat the Limoux by 30–26 at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan. [4]

Maria was part of the team that won the Elite One Championship 2018–2019, but was not part of match day squad in their Grand Final victory over AS Carcassonne in June 2019. [5]

Villeneuve

He played for Villeneuve in the 2019–2020 Elite One Championship before his spell at the club was cut short by Covid-19.

FC Lézignan

Maria played for FC Lézignan in the Elite One Championship between 2021 and 2023.

Saint-Estève XIII

In 2023 he returned to the Catalans Dragons feeder side Saint-Estève XIII Catalan, playing in the Super XIII whilst being part of their Super League setup.

Maria 2025 he won the Coupe de France Lord Derby when Saint-Estève XIII beat Racing Club Albi by 26–18 at the Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié, Narbonne. [6]

Catalans Dragons

In March 2024 made his Super League debut the Catalans Dragons, coming off the bench in a home victory over the Castleford Tigers.

Maria was given a heavy ban following a red card against the Salford Red Devils in September 2025. [7] [8]

International career

Maria played for France B in October 2022, featuring in their 18–16 loss against the England Knights.

He made his full international debut for France in September 2023, coming off the bench in their 78–10 victory over Serbia. He earned his cap the following June, in a 40-8 loss against England.

References

  1. "Player Summary: Franck Maria". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club.
  2. Rugby League Project
  3. itsrugby profile
  4. "Finale de la Coupe de France 2018 – Un essai en or de Thomas Ambert" (in French). FFRXIII. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  5. "Elite 1 : exploit de Saint-Estève/XIII Catalan qui devient champion de France face à Carcassonne XIII (32-24)". L'Independant. 29 June 2019.
  6. "Saint-Estève XIII Catalan bends Albi and wins the Coupe de France". Treize Mondial. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  7. Catalans Dragons forward discovers fate after horror tackle as big ban received
  8. Hull FC, Castleford Tigers, Salford Red Devils & Catalans Dragons men banned as review panel issue 23 charges