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James Harrington

James Harrington is a freelance sports journalist and editor, based near Toulouse in southwest France, whose key focus is on the French rugby scene. He has worked with World Rugby, EPCR, RugbyPass, Rugby World, the Irish Examiner, SA Rugby Mag, Irish Independent, ESPN, and The Rugby Paper.

224 Articles

Top 14 2020/21 club-by-club season preview: Agen

There's something about Agen - they have recruited and, on the whole, retained well which must mean they will do better than 13th …

James Harrington
James Harrington
29 Aug 2020, 8:25

Top 14 2020/21 club-by-club season preview: Bayonne

Bayonne will begin their difficult second season back in the Top 14 with lofty ambitions but could find their dreams quickly turn …

James Harrington
James Harrington
28 Aug 2020, 10:05

Top 14 2020/21 club-by-club season preview: Brive

Brive were worthy returnees to the Top 14 after a single Pro D2 campaign and while recruitment has been limited, there can expect …

James Harrington
James Harrington
26 Aug 2020, 7:17

Top 14 2020/21 club-by-club season preview: Castres Olympique

Castres Olympique threw out the old after a forgettable coronavirus-curtailed season and head into the 2020/21 campaign with a new…

James Harrington
James Harrington
20 Aug 2020, 10:58

Top 14 2020/21 club-by-club season preview: Lyon

Some of the new recruits at Lyon this season may be a little long in the tooth but make no mistake, the club is building for the l…

James Harrington
James Harrington
19 Aug 2020, 7:15

Top 14 club-by-club 2020/21 season preview: La Rochelle

La Rochelle were fifth when the 2019/20 Top 14 season was called off early, so why are we wondering about what might have been for…

James Harrington
James Harrington
18 Aug 2020, 8:05

Top 14 2020/21 club-by-club season preview: Bordeaux

Expect Bordeaux to take the frustration of last season out on their opponents this time around, but how well will they handle the …

James Harrington
James Harrington
17 Aug 2020, 3:47

Top 14 club-by-club 2020/21 season preview: Stade Francais

A new coach and some restrained, highly targeted, work in the transfer market could work wonders for Stade Francais in the Top 14

James Harrington
James Harrington
16 Aug 2020, 6:03

Top 14 club-by-club 2020/21 season preview: Montpellier

It's the second season for Montpellier under Xavier Garbajosa, who's aiming to bring the excitement back to the GGL Stadium.

James Harrington
James Harrington
06 Aug 2020, 12:54

Top 14 club-by-club 2020/21 season preview: Toulon

The club is in stable situation, and looking to a new, very different, but no less intimidating future.

James Harrington
James Harrington
05 Aug 2020, 6:48

Top 14 club-by-club 2020/21 season preview: Racing 92

Racing 92, the most 'Made In France' team of the French 2020/21 season, will be battling on three fronts from September - the Top …

James Harrington
James Harrington
04 Aug 2020, 10:36

Top 14 club-by-club 2020-21 Season Preview: Clermont

The 2020/21 Clermont squad looks stronger, more balanced and has a back line to terrify even the most organised of defences.

James Harrington
James Harrington
03 Aug 2020, 4:46

Top 14 club-by-club 2020/21 season preview: Toulouse

Head coach Ugo Mola has a return to European glory in his sights as he rebuilds Toulouse in his own image

James Harrington
James Harrington
02 Aug 2020, 9:35

After the pandemic: blood on the streets as a new-look future for French pro rugby emerges

French pro rugby clubs have 'put an absolute brake' on recruitment and are seriously rethinking their finances

James Harrington
James Harrington
08 Apr 2020, 10:29

France and the evolution of the modern fly-half - and the rebirth of a prototype

Historically, France has had a love-meh relationship with its 10s - think Jules Plisson, David Skrela, Francois Trinh-Duc, Remi Ta…

James Harrington
James Harrington
14 Feb 2020, 5:27

Clermont plan raid on Japan's Top League to bolster depleted side: reports

With 10 backs and five forwards currently out of action, Top 14 side Clermont will try to tempt three international backs from the…

James Harrington
James Harrington
03 Jan 2018, 6:46

Nathan Hines' radical idea to lighten the load on his Top 14 players

With Montpellier suffering from an academy depleted under former coach Jake White, their current assistant has a suggestion to bet…

James Harrington
James Harrington
18 Jan 2020, 4:23

'When I get the clips from the analysts and there's Leinster coming up, it's a worse feeling in the gut'

Lyon attack coach Kendrick Lynn on the injury crisis at the club ahead of the weekend's Champions Cup match against undefeated Lei…

James Harrington
James Harrington
11 Jan 2020, 4:24

Ma'a Nonu on verge of shock return to Toulon - reports

Blues' star Ma'a Nonu could make a dramatic return to the French club on a lucrative one-year deal, and boss Mourad Boudjellal is …

James Harrington
James Harrington
29 May 2019, 10:00

What's at stake and for who ahead of the final round of regular Top 14 season

Four Top 14 teams are battling it out for three play-off places as the gruelling French league enters the final weekend - here's h…

James Harrington
James Harrington
22 May 2019, 13:23
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