Opinion
Nations Championship
Why Bromley-born Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, France's two try debutant, owes a debt to English rugby
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Contributors
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.
133 Articles
Latest
Nations Championship
After criticism, France have sent a powerful squad to New Zealand
26
20 days ago
Top 14
Fan favourite Billy Vunipola is rolling back the years at Montpellier
5
34 days ago
Top 14
How Paul Gustard restored Stade Francais to Top 14 contenders again
2
50 days ago
Top 14
Bordeaux's Yannick Bru is said to be France's next coach-in-waiting
6
70 days ago
Opinion
‘You can’t build a dynasty without a strong DNA - Toulouse’s is stronger than Bordeaux’s'
Are Bordeaux able to build sustained success like their great rivals, or will they go the way of La Rochelle?
Gavin Mortimer
24 Apr 2026, 7:57
1
Opinion
Is Antoine Dupont no longer undroppable?
The iconic Frenchman has taken time to recover from a serious knee injury and there are murmurs he is no longer an automatic pick
Gavin Mortimer
10 Apr 2026, 3:05
59
Opinion
How 'Sir' Jonny Wilkinson inspired a generation of French kickers
When Thomas Ramos stepped up and broke English hearts, the irony was not lost that Jonny Wilkinson inspired a generation of French…
Gavin Mortimer
24 Mar 2026, 6:50
15
Opinion
‘England could learn a great deal from French connection with fan base’
Les Bleus have only won two Six Nations titles under Fabien Galthié, but their appeal lies more in the image they project.
Gavin Mortimer
11 Mar 2026, 4:08
22
Analysis
Why it's time to stop using Lions rigours as an excuse for French supremacy
Les Bleus have thrived in post-Lions years but the difference in playing minutes isn't marked, so are they just performing better?
Gavin Mortimer
26 Feb 2026, 1:23
33
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
09 Feb 2026, 23:47
3
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
29 Jan 2026, 3:31
29
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
13 Jan 2026, 8:23
4
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
16 Dec 2025, 1:10
35
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
20 Nov 2025, 3:41
17
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
06 Nov 2025, 3:34
19
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
23 Oct 2025, 9:10
10
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
09 Oct 2025, 8:44
16
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
28 Sep 2025, 3:10
3
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
10 Sep 2025, 3:53
10
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
25 Aug 2025, 4:14
9
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
05 Aug 2025, 2:59
11
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
30 Jul 2025, 2:17
43
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
16 Jul 2025, 14:43
149
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
10 Jul 2025, 1:21
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