Israel Folau scored six minutes into his Catalans Dragons debut ©Getty Images

Supporters claim they were told to remove a rainbow flag as the controversial Israel Folau made his debut for French rugby league team Catalans Dragons.

The Australian cross-code star was playing his first competitive game since being sacked by Rugby Australia - the country's rugby union governing body - in May for homophobic posts on social media.

Supporter Alison Grey was at the match and took to Twitter to criticise Catalans for what she said was a "disgusting" club policy which saw her asked not to display the flag.

"I was twice asked to remove it.

"Firstly as I was told it was against health and safety. 

"Secondly because it is against club policy", Grey wrote in a subsequent tweet.

Super League, in which Catalans play, has said it is investigating.

Folau's signing was very contentious, with the 30-year-old turning to Europe after Australia’s National Rugby League made it clear that it would block any of its teams signing him.

The Australian Football League also distanced itself from Folau following his sacking - he previously spent two seasons playing Australian rules football for Greater Western Sydney before making the switch to rugby union.

Several Super League clubs made it known that they objected to Catalans signing Folau and collectively Super League's clubs have since voted to "put in place measures that ensure the Super League has greater authority to stop controversial signings such as this in the future."

Wigan Warriors declared their game against the Dragons next month "Pride Day" in an effort to "support the LGBTQ+ community."

Only three men have scored more tries for Australia's rugby union team than Israel Folau ©Getty Images
Only three men have scored more tries for Australia's rugby union team than Israel Folau ©Getty Images

Folau's first game in England is due to be against Hull FC on March 1 and the team have already put out a statement making it clear they have no issue with  pride flags, reports the Hull Daily Mail.

Folau scored six minutes into his Catalans debut in what was his first rugby league game since 2010.

A bona fide star for Australia in rugby union, he had previously been warned about his conduct on social media before a post stating that "Hell awaits" homosexuals proved the final straw.

He was suing Rugby Australia for AUD14 million (£7.3 million/$9.6 million/€8.6 million) but reached a settlement in December.

Folau is a member of the Assemblies of God fellowship and his father is a pastor - he has argued that his posts on social media are simply a reflection of his religious beliefs and he should be allowed to express them.