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Gavin Mortimer

Few Anglophone rugby writers have such an intimate (and painful) knowledge of French rugby as Gavin Mortimer. Having been gouged, butted and stamped during two seasons as a player in the deep south of the country, Gavin now prefers the more sedate pastime of writing about the state of the game in France. Over the years he’s interviewed the likes of Bernard Laporte, Frederic Michalak and Antoine Dupont, and he also provides co-commentary for Canal Plus’s English language coverage of the Top 14.

128 Articles
LONG READ
Opinion

Why thriving Mickael Guillard is viewed as a future France captain

Athletic forward who broke through as a back-row excelled in a player-of-the-match display at lock against Ireland

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
09 Feb 2026, 23:47
LONG READ
Opinion

Why England's ex-pats are hurting France's backrow depth chart

The Top 14 is a retirement home for a wealth of gifted ex-England backrows and it's weakening France's resources

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
29 Jan 2026, 3:31
LONG READ
Opinion

Why French rugby is bowing at TV's altar for the Six Nations

The last time France faced Ireland on a Thursday was in 1948, and nearly 80 years later the reasons are very different

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
13 Jan 2026, 8:23
LONG READ
Opinion

Why some in the FFR are mooting the Top 14 cuts clubs to aid the national cause

Discussions are taking place whether the financially rich Top 14 could reduce to 12 clubs to help France and rest players

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
16 Dec 2025, 1:10
LONG READ
Opinion

France’s golden generation in danger of greying without living up to expectations

Fabien Galthie's men have flattered this Autumn and have looked one-paced and pedestrian, so can they rediscover their va-va-voom?

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
20 Nov 2025, 3:41
LONG READ
Opinion

‘Another defeat against bogey team South Africa will really give France les bleus’

France are still haunted by their RWC23 quarter-final loss to the Springboks, who could reopen old wounds in Paris.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
06 Nov 2025, 3:34
LONG READ
Opinion

‘Even with all their injuries and rarely at full-strength, France are still a formidable side’

France's autumn absentees may be into double figures, but with a refreshed Matthieu Jalibert and other stars, they will still be a…

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
23 Oct 2025, 9:10
LONG READ
Opinion

Why are a section of the French rugby public engaging in 'Dupont bashing'?

The Toulouse superstar has had the audacity to take a breather from rehab to attend some social events and critics aren't happy

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
09 Oct 2025, 8:44
LONG READ
Opinion

Why the Top 14 are giving referees a guard of honour

The erosion of the authority of referees has been seeping into rugby for too long and Top 14 officials have been compelled to act

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
28 Sep 2025, 3:10
LONG READ
Opinion

Where have all the great French tighthead props gone?

French tightheads haven’t moved with the times, lacking the dynamic power and all-round skills of their major rivals.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
10 Sep 2025, 3:53
LONG READ
Opinion

‘It's not money that guarantees success, it’s attitude’ – Racing U-turn should act as warning to Newcastle

Racing 92's move away from 'galáctico' signings shows recruiting top players on big salaries is not a recipe for long-term succes…

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
25 Aug 2025, 4:14
LONG READ
Opinion

Generation gap: Can we meaningfully compare players separated by half a century?

Comparisons between Lions players and teams across different decades is difficult given the huge changes the game has undergone.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
05 Aug 2025, 2:59
LONG READ
Opinion

‘In rugby we need something new’: Lions tour to France gaining traction

Sporting and financial interests mean the French rugby federation is open to the possibility of a future Lions tour.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
30 Jul 2025, 2:17
LONG READ
Opinion

New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

The gruelling and engrossing league is the lifeblood of French rugby, rather than the national team's summer voyages south of the …

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
16 Jul 2025, 14:43
LONG READ
Opinion

Have France made New Zealand's forthright pundits come over all sheepish?

France produced a sterling performance in Dunedin which defied many ex-All Blacks' barbs about the strength of their touring squad…

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
10 Jul 2025, 1:21
LONG READ
Opinion

Has 'narrow-mindedness' cost Ribbans and others their Lions chance?

The England lock is in superb form for Toulon, and plays in an area of Andy Farrell's squad not blessed with great depth.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
18 Jun 2025, 0:39
LONG READ
Opinion

Is it the end of the one-club man?

Henry Chavancy may not be a household name but the Racing 92 talisman bade farewell after 17 years and one wonders if we'll see hi…

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
09 Jun 2025, 9:35
LONG READ
Opinion

'The French don’t understand Pollock is purposely playing the pantomime villain'

Bordeaux's response to Henry Pollock's antics and the reaction in France suggest the French do not 'get' tongue-in-cheek humour.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
28 May 2025, 2:30
LONG READ
Opinion

Fans flock to France’s ‘formidable’ ProD2 as English second tier plays catch-up

With former Test stars and record crowds, the ProD2 is a showcase for French rugby as the play-offs begin.

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
22 May 2025, 8:37
LONG READ
Opinion

'Love him or hate him, Henry Pollock has got the rugby world talking.'

The Northampton and England backrow's confidence, verve and raw ability have raised eyebrows around the globe

Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer
07 May 2025, 14:52
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