Interview
Internationals Womens
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Contributors
James Harrington
@Jamesonrugby
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.
252 Articles
Latest
Internationals Womens
France name current Stade Bordelais’ manager as new women's head coach
8 days ago
France Women
France's AXA Elite 1 Championship: Get to know the teams
43 days ago
Internationals Womens
FFR advertise for new head coach to lead women's team
44 days ago
Editors Pick
Here and no further: why France failed to hit new heights in 2025
4
66 days ago
Analysis
'Les Bleues were a bedraggled shadow of a side' but march on to semis
France live to fight another day at the Rugby World Cup after defeating Ireland 18-13 in dismal conditions in Sandy Park in the qu…
James Harrington
15 Sep 2025, 5:09
2
'We’ll have to be careful': France name team for quarter final clash
France co-head coaches Mignot and Ortiz have taken no risks up front in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash – selecting th…
James Harrington
12 Sep 2025, 8:56
France announce side for South Africa: 'We’re going to take this team very seriously'
Les Bleues look to complete a perfect pool phase run against South Africa in Northampton on Sunday.
James Harrington
05 Sep 2025, 7:35
4
Analysis
Top 14 season preview: More Test stars head to France but can anyone topple Toulouse?
France's top-flight campaign kicks off this weekend with at least 11 of the 14 clubs holding play-off ambitions.
James Harrington
04 Sep 2025, 0:48
3
Six head coaches axed: Inside Montpellier’s game of thrones
Benson Stanley is relishing the relative calm that being part of a settled staff has brought.
James Harrington
03 Sep 2025, 2:44
5
'France needed that': Why heavy victory for Les Bleues v Brazil was important
After a determined, stern-faced, no-frills win over Italy in their Women’s Rugby World Cup opener, Les Bleues had to blast away …
James Harrington
01 Sep 2025, 6:05
Pauline Bourdon Sansus returns to France’s starting line-up
Pauline Bourdon Sansus returns to France’s starting line-up as coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz ring the selection changes…
James Harrington
29 Aug 2025, 9:26
7
Analysis
ProD2 season preview: New coaches, new ambition in France's second tier
Eight of the 16 sides in French rugby’s ProD2 head into the 2025/26 campaign under new management.
James Harrington
28 Aug 2025, 3:52
5
France coach claims they need 'more playing time to gel' after Italy win
Job one done. The first item – beat Italy – can be ticked off on the French coaches’ Great and Secret Women’s Rugby World …
James Harrington
26 Aug 2025, 2:05
4
Analysis
Vernier returns for France as coaches look for players to 'step up' against Italy
Centre Gabrielle Vernier returns to France’s starting line-up for their opening match of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, after s…
James Harrington
22 Aug 2025, 5:15
2
Analysis
Why disorganisation and chaos could be France's biggest ally at World Cup
There may be bigger, stronger and more organised teams at Rugby World Cup 2025, but could France’s strength lie in disorganisati…
James Harrington
08 Aug 2025, 3:28
5
Who are the surprise inclusions in France squad for 2025 World Cup?
Surprise omissions, surprise inclusions and everything in between for France's Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad.
James Harrington
02 Aug 2025, 23:58
Analysis
France bring in big gun consultants in bid to break World Cup duck
With less than 30 days to the start of Rugby World Cup 2025, France are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to break their Rugb…
James Harrington
01 Aug 2025, 3:23
6
Pauline Bourdon Sansus to sit out France's opening World Cup match
Pauline Bourdon Sansus, arguably France's best female player, will sit out the opening match of France’s Women’s Rugby World C…
James Harrington
26 Jun 2025, 7:26
2
Opinion
Bordeaux’s thrilling pretenders and salary cap changes threaten Toulouse supremacy
A talented Bordeaux side and proposals to cut the salary cap and credits for Test players present a twin challenge to Toulouse.
James Harrington
16 May 2025, 9:01
11
Interview
AB Zondagh: 'To say that it was a difficult situation is an understatement'
Lyon scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud was among several notable names missing from the 42 selected by Fabien Galthie for France’s o…
James Harrington
17 Jan 2025, 2:40
Interview
Will Collier: 'Under Borthwick, I really could have added to the squad'
Regrets. Will Collier will no doubt have a few when his playing career finally ends. Everyone does. But, then again, as the song g…
James Harrington
24 Oct 2024, 7:14
5
Opinion
Can star-studded trio reawaken sleeping giant Béziers?
An ex-All Black, former Springbok and ex-F1 team boss are poised to take over the storied French club.
James Harrington
16 Oct 2024, 1:13
2
Interview
Dillyn Leyds: 'I was probably the main culprit... It was really tough'
Dillyn Leyds truly understood he wasn’t in Cape Town any longer when he first experienced the relative cold and dark of a La Roc…
James Harrington
13 Oct 2024, 0:30
Opinion
Made in France: How the 'JIFF' rules transformed French rugby
Home-reared quota systems were not universally popular, but over time their worth has proven vast.
James Harrington
01 Oct 2024, 3:44
5