ANALYSIS
The French disconnection
French referees are different to Anglophone ones – as Bernard Foley discovered to his, and Australia's cost
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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.
ANALYSIS
Dupont or Ollivon? The battle to be the boss of Les Bleus
French rugby is on a roll and head coach Fabien Galthie now has to choose his captain for the World Cup, it's a straight shoot-out…
ANALYSIS
Bernard Laporte: Influential, inspirational and in the dock
French rugby is back at the summit of world rugby but politics threatens to engulf its most influential individuals a year out fro…
ANALYSIS
Yoram Moefana: France's silent assassin
Hailing from Futuna, a tiny French-speaking South Pacific Island, the Bordeaux-Bègles centre is quietly making waves in Fabien Ga…
OPINION
Zach Mercer has usurped Jonny as France's favourite Englishman
The former Bath No 8 has taken the Top 14 by storm with Montpellier and he's been tipped to go to another level
ANALYSIS
Will Fabien Galthie unearth more gold nuggets in Japan?
French rugby is on the crest of a wave and they know they can afford to take an understrength squad to Japan and rest their bigges…
OPINION
French offer lukewarm response to South Africa's inclusion in the Champions Cup
There is disquiet in France about the inclusion of South African sides in the Champions Cup with some feeling it has been foisted …
ANALYSIS
Brain not brawn: the renaissance of Top 14 coaches
The traditional image of a hot-headed, combustible French coach has been replaced by a more reflective, intellectual coach that ha…
ANALYSIS
French rugby points to England's broken system as the gulf between the Top 14 and ProD2 widens
French rugby's second division dwarfs the Championship in England both in terms of revenue and crowd numbers but there are still c…
ANALYSIS
Return of the Saint
Philippe Saint-Andre was left battered and bruised from his experiences with Les Bleus but he has proved doubters wrong by guiding…
France gets its act together while England bemoans structural failings
French political infighting brought the game to its knees but after a period of stability, results have seen the public fall back …
ANALYSIS
Six Nations: Gael Fickou's ascendancy to French defensive lynchpin
The Racing 92 midfielder is the glue that knits a backline of superstars together and at 27, his best years lie ahead of him
ANALYSIS
Emmanuel Macron hoping for a Grand Slam election bounce
Sport and politics do mix, and sometimes decide elections, which is why Emmanuel Macron is praying for French success in the Six N…
ANALYSIS
Liberte, egalite, vaccine?
New laws state that professional rugby players in France are no longer free to play if they haven't been triple vaccinated
OPINION
Warming the bench for a once-in-a-generation talent
The little-known players toiling in the shadows of giants.
INTERVIEW
Josh Brennan adds French accent to rich Irish heritage
The name and the accent are Irish but the heart of rising Toulouse star Josh Brennan belongs to France
ANALYSIS
France v All Blacks: Over the Rainbow?
When French secret service agents sunk Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985, they fuelled a long rivalry wit…
OPINION
Antoine Dupont: Can Les Bleus' GOAT inspire 2023 glory?
Antoine Dupont is already the greatest player in French rugby history. Can he keep his focus as the spotlight intensifies?
Break down the language barrier
It’s not fair to France that referees speak only English but will World Rugby translate that into action?
Rags to riches
Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has overcome a traumatic upbringing to become rugby's biggest powerbroker
The rise and fall of Toulon
The dynasty built by Mourad Boudjellal has crumbled since he opted out and it is a shadow of its former self
Baby Bleus widen Galthie's 2023 talent pool
France lost a tight series Down Under but there were enough longer-term positives to please coach Fabien Galthié
France's tour of hotel hell
A callow French squad prepare to embark on their grinding voyage to Australia
The empire strikes back
After a decade of decline, Toulouse are on the brink of a new era of European domination.
Bright Vannes man
Nick Abendanon is a shining example of how overseas players should adapt to life in France
French renaissance artist
Little-known coach Didier Retière has led the revival in France's fortunes
Singing the Bleus
For all France's development, they will not win the next World Cup without a top-class goal-kicker.
The French evolution
After a decade of turmoil, things are finally looking up for Les Bleus.
Fun and games
Bernard Le Roux has been given a new lease of life by France's youngsters
Love Islanders
Les Bleus are looking to Pacific territories for talent, but will it bring heartbreak for young players in France?
Seeing red
A rash of Top 14 red cards, has seen many French commentators call for more flair and less flare
French education
Gabriel Ibitoye left Harlequins for a new challenge and he's making headlines at Agen
Storm clouds gather
Bernard Laporte's arrest has led to claim and counterclaim to further muddy French political waters
Speed of light
A leap of faith has seen Cheslin Kolbe’s renaissance as a World Cup winner
