THERE has been quite a furore over Catalans Dragons signing the Australian dual-code star Israel Folau.

Like a fire and brimstone preacher from a by-gone age, Folau went on Instagram to condemn homosexuals to an eternity in hell if they didn’t repent and change their ways.

In these enlightened times, it wasn’t the most sensible post and cost him his lucrative place in Australian club and country rugby.

Then, after being condemned by all and sundry, Folau was thrown a lifeline by the Dragons and could be making his debut for them this weekend, against Wakefield.

Pressure has been put on the French club to tear-up the contract with League and Union followers equally adamant he shouldn’t play professionally again.

One of the problems, of course, is that the 30-year-old Australian-born Folau has Tongan parents. His heritage might have formed his adult views because in Tonga homosexuality is illegal.

So when demands are made to ban Folau from Super League, should that be accompanied by Tonga’s dismissal from the 2021 World Cup?

That won’t happen, and neither should Folau be banned.

His views might be outrageous, outdated and outspoken, offensive to many, but they are not likely to surface again given the condemnation they have received.

It’s making those views public which landed him in trouble. You can guarantee there will be hundreds of professional sportsmen with various objectionable views on a raft of subjects – but we don’t hear anything of them on the various social media platforms.

I’m a long-lapsed Methodist – a regular Chapel-goer for the first 16 years of my life – so in no position to preach on religion.

But having had a basic grounding in the subject it has often struck me in the intervening years of how there is so much un-Christian thinking among the faith’s followers.

I think Christ himself would have been a bit more tolerant.

* Covering Aspatria rugby union affairs for many years has brought me into contact with some good people.

Dave Robley, Tommy Borthwick, Melvyn Hanley, Malcolm Brown, Mark Richardson and Barney Clegg have all been excellent communicators for the Black Reds.

To that list you can add Les McTear, whose funeral at Torpenhow’s wonderful St. Michael’s and All Angels Church as expected needed standing room.

Former captain Les was also a source of news from Bower Park and he knew the value of extended coverage.

Team news was never restricted to a paragraph, even if unchanged. Les would always come-up with an injury or two that needed Saturday morning fitness tests.

Several years after Les retired from rugby, I noticed his name in a list of new pup owners in the Hound Trailing Association.

When I phoned, the happy hooker went on to explain why the young trail hound had been named Watt Next.

He said that his wife Judith had been pegging out the washing when he shouted down the garden – “I’m getting a hound dog.”

The reply was brief – “Watt Next,” said Judith – and the young pup had it’s name.

One of the many tales which were recounted after the funeral service back at Bower Park, was one about the choice of bearers.

Les had insisted that only forwards should carry the coffin – as backs would be likely to drop it!

RIP Les McTear – a top man.

* IT’S 50 years since Les Massie played for Workington Reds, but the Scot is fondly remembered in these parts.

In two seasons with the west Cumbrians, he made 68 appearances, scoring 16 goals.

Already a legend in Huddersfield (100 goals in 335 appearances) and a fine servant at Halifax (41 in 89 games), Les was in his twilight years when he joined Workington.

But manager Brian Doyle knew what he was getting when he persuaded the Scot to move from Bradford Park Avenue to Borough Park.

Reds (who eventually lost their Football League status in 1977) were re-election material in 1970 when Les signed.

He joined in December 1969 and was an ever-present until the end of the season with eight goals in 25 games.

Those were vital goals – he was the club’s top scorer – because Reds escaped the clutches of the bottom four by a single point.

He would have been the leading marksman the following season (seven from 37) but missed eight games through injury. Johnny Martin and Tommy Spratt had eight each.

But Massie’s contribution was immense as under the shrewd management of Doyle, Reds climbed to a finishing position of tenth, 26 points better than the bottom side Barrow.

Massie was 35 when he left after two seasons, joining Drogheda in Ireland, before hanging-up his trusty boots.

So when Reds get round to the pre-match introduction of former heroes, Les Massie should be one of the first names on the list.