The Betfred Championship reaches its conclusion on Sunday, as York Knights take on Toulouse Olympique in the hotly anticipated Grand Final, live on The Sportsman.
The Knights are one win away from completing a clean sweep of domestic trophies in 2025, having already secured the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup and League Leaders’ Shield.
It’s been a stellar season for Mark Applegarth’s men but standing in their way on Sunday afternoon are Sylvain Houles’ Toulouse Olympique, who are no strangers to the big stage.
While this is York’s first ever Grand Final in the modern era, the French side have been involved in the Grand Final in each of their last four seasons spent in the Championship.
The Olympique were beaten 36-0 by treble-winners Wakefield Trinity last year – who are a side's footsteps York are hoping to follow.
York have undoubtedly been the most consistent side in the competition and are currently on an astonishing 20-game winning streak.
But despite going under the radar at times this year, Toulouse finished just two points behind the league leaders and have been building momentum into the Play-Offs.
The French team will also be boosted by their emphatic semi-final victory over Bradford Bulls last Sunday, where they scored 24 unanswered points to come back and book another Grand Final berth.
Prepare to be entertained as a tasty top two clash awaits on Sunday - and interestingly, it's Toulouse who have won their last five away meetings at the Knights’ place.
There’s going to be the very best of the Championship on show, with plenty of ones to watch in this weekend’s Grand Final.
York skipper and provider Liam Harris has been instrumental in his side’s success this year, therefore it’s no surprise to see him topping the points scoring charts with 232, and is in the running for the Betfred Championship Player of the Year Award.
He’ll come up against Jake Shorrocks in the Toulouse halves, who has been a real danger man in 2025.
Shorrocks also produced the match-winner at the LNER Community Stadium back in Round 2.
A blood and thunder battle unfolded between York and Toulouse, and it took a drop goal from Shorrocks right on the final whistle to separate them, after only a single try each in the game.
Top try scorer Ben Jones-Bishop will be hoping to add to his tally, and Toa Mata’afa, who scored a crucial double in the Knights’ semi-final win over Halifax Panthers, will be raring to go in Sunday’s final.
The Samoan fullback has been a major mid-season signing for the York club and will come up against speedster and opposition number Olly Ashall-Bott.
Lethal left edge Paul Ulberg and Reubenn Rennie have also been causing chaos for teams who have faced the French in 2025.
The loose forwards set to lock horns are veterans Jordan Thompson and France international Anthony Marion, who is currently in his ninth season with the French side.
Hooker Paul McShane will also have handy experience for the hosts.
Toulouse’s line-up is expected to be very similar to the one in last year's Grand Final, but can they go on to lift the trophy this time round?
The finalists last met in Round 23 in the south of France, where two second half tries from Scott Galeano and Oli Field in the space of five minutes proved vital - and the visitors came away with a hard fought 8-16 victory.
Let's take a look at their most recent encounters...
Last ten meetings:
Toulouse 8 York 16 (Championship Round 23, 22/08/25)
York 6, Toulouse 7 (Championship Round 2, 23/2/25)
Toulouse 12, York 20 (Championship Round 20, 17/8/24)
York 14, Toulouse 20 (Championship Round 2, 31/3/24)
York 14, Toulouse 18 (Championship Round 21, 5/8/23)
Toulouse 36, York 0 (Championship Round 3, 18/2/23)
York 6, Toulouse 21 (Championship Round 1, 3/4/21)
Toulouse 22, York 10 (Championship Round 1, 1/2/20)
Toulouse 44, York 6 (Championship Play-Offs, 14/9/19)
York 18, Toulouse 25 (Championship Round 19, 8/6/19)
Sunday is set to be a fiery contest between the top two after they both came through their dramatic semi-finals, but which team will be crowned Championship Champions of 2025?
Betfred Championship Grand Final:
York Knights v Toulouse Olympique, Sunday 5 October (K.O. 2pm) – live on The Sportsman.
Tickets are available to buy HERE.
Photo Credit: Toulouse Olympique
