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
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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.
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
Stade Francais sack Karim Ghezal just 4 games into Top 14 season
Karim Ghezal has left his role as head coach of Stade Francais, less than 48 hours after last season’s Top 14 semi-finalists sli…
James Harrington
30 Sep 2024, 6:15
Interview
Joe Simmonds: 'My rugby at Exeter was not where I wanted it to be'
Signing a long-term contract extension at Top 14 side Pau wasn’t the best or most important life decision Joe Simmonds made rece…
James Harrington
29 Sep 2024, 4:15
1
Analysis
After sidestepping disaster Biarritz are plotting route out of the woods
Gears shifted at historical French rugby giants Biarritz, after French rugby’s financial watchdog finally accepted the club’s …
James Harrington
14 Jun 2024, 3:21
1
Analysis
Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out
With multi-millionaire owner Louis-Vincent Gave about to walk away, the future of the five-time French champions is in doubt
James Harrington
28 Mar 2024, 4:07
1
Ex-England prospect Ibitoye left on shelf and facing season in ProD2
Barring a late call, former Harlequins flyer Gabriel Ibitoye could end up playing in France’s ProD2 next season for Agen, the cl…
James Harrington
12 Jul 2021, 11:00
Agen's season from hell: Airport fights, walks outs and conceding 42 points a game
Relegated Top 14 outfit Agen are in disarray having lost every game they have played this season and conceded more than 1,000 poin…
James Harrington
01 Jun 2021, 3:59
Laporte vs Grill: Final hours in the battle for France rugby's top job
Will it be Bernard Laporte or Florian Grill? Voting is under way as 1,900 rugby clubs decide who will be the next president of the…
James Harrington
02 Oct 2020, 10:32
