Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique have yet to turn France's Super League presence into international success.
The NRL is negotiating an investment in the competition with English club owners and its two French sides.
Some British clubs resist ceding power, but Trent Robinson believes a partnership could help revive the French game.
"I think it would continue the progression of having a place at the table," the Sydney Roosters coach told AAP.
France was due to host this year's World Cup, but its government withdrew, citing the expense of rugby union's 2023 World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
Ranked 11th, France are $21 outsiders against an NRL-laden Samoa in Friday's World Cup opener.
After guiding the Roosters to a fourth NRL premiership earlier this month, Robinson is helping France head coach Laurent Frayisnous as director of rugby.
Robinson says respect for the sport has grown in France during his 24 years of involvement there, with Catalans and Toulouse contributing.
France faces a major financial gap: the Top 14 salary cap is roughly $18 million, compared with around $12 million in the NRL and nearly $4 million in Super League.