Opting for rugby league, he integrated the Roanne XIII squad where Max Rousié and Jean Dauger played alongside him in 1938.

Playing then at the Toulouse Lyceum, he received an offer from Annibert (of Stade Toulousain, who later became a member of the French Athletics Federation where he dictated the laws of the full amateurism).

Annibert promised him a success at his exams and numerous advantages and Mr. Furst of Stade Toulousain also proposed him 200 francs per month, which convinced Samatan to sign.

After some months, his salary quadrupled and numerous clubs offered him a better salary like Quillan and Carcassonne, but it is finally Agen through Mr. Armand Bastoul's intermediary which obtained his signature for 25.000 francs and a situation, which later convinced Maurice Porra to join him at Agen for 1.500 francs per month.

[1] He decided to take part of the creation of a French rugby league team with Jean Galia.