The 30-year-old Australian is back in the headlines, having last month reached a confidential settlement with Rugby Australia over his sacking in May. 

He had been suing Rugby Australia for AUS$14 million (£7.3 million/$9.6 million/€8.6 million) after his contract was terminated with the Wallabies and Super Rugby's NSW Waratahs for posting "hell awaits" gay people on Instagram.

Folau has now signed for Super League side Catalans Dragons, based in Perpignan in France, for one year. 

He began his career playing rugby league, but Australia’s National Rugby League made it clear they would not allow any of their teams to sign Folau. 

Rugby Football League (RFL) opted not to block his signature, however. 

The announcement drew criticism from other Super League teams and players, with the RFL forced to release a statement defending their position. 

"This is a difficult decision, as the RFL places a high value on the sport’s reputation in prioritising inclusion and diversity – and deplores the player’s previous comments," the RFL said.

"However, the moral responsibility for deciding whether to sign a player sits with individual clubs. 

"The player has not been charged or found guilty of any criminal offence. 

"However distasteful his previous comments, we don’t believe that, under our current regulatory framework, these can prevent his participation in the sport."

Super League chief executive Robert Elstone revealed he was disappointed by the decision, but could not do anything about it. 

"There is a strong feeling that the decision to sign him lets down many people connected to our sport," he said. 

"I made Catalans Dragons aware of those views.

"However, Super League does not have the authority to veto the registration of players and is satisfied by the due diligence carried out by the Rugby Football League."

Keegan Hirst, the only openly gay rugby league player in Britain, voiced his criticism through a post on Twitter. 

"I am shocked and disappointed at the signing of Israel Folau," he said.

"Our great game is tasked with fighting against homophobia and standing up for the values it puts such high stock in. 

"It shows none of the bravery, camaraderie or integrity the RFL expects from its players, staff and fans."

Immediately after the signing of Folau was revealed, Wigan Warriors announced their match against Catalans Dragons on March 22 would become "Pride Day", celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. 

Folau, who is fourth in the list of all-time try scorers for Australia and has 62 caps for the national side, was raised a Mormon before becoming an active member of an Assemblies of God Fellowship in 2011.

His contract was worth a reported AUS$4 million (£2.1 million/$2.8 million/€2.5 million). 

He posted "Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators - Hell awaits you" on Instagram in April, with a three-member panel finding him guilty of a “high-level” breach of Rugby Australia's player code of conduct.

Catalans Dragons entered the Super League in 2006 and defeated Warrington Wolves in 2018 to win the Challenge Cup, their first Rugby League trophy.