France
Top 14 talking points: Results blueshift
A total 17 of the 34 players who took part in France’s Six Nations-winning campaign were straight back in domestic action this weekend, as the Top 14 returned
James Harrington
France-based freelance sports journalist, rugby writer and editor of this site. Knows a bit about French rugby
France
Top 14 talking points: Street smart La Rochelle crash Castres’ big birthday party
Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle snap a 56-day winless streak, Toulouse hit the big 100 for the season, and Toulon step-up for recuperating manager Pierre Mignoni
France
‘Sliding doors’ moments that changed Pau fullback Jack Maddocks’ life forever
A try scored by a fellow Australian halfway across the world brought Jack Maddocks to the shadow of the Pyrenees in 2021. This is the story of what happened next
France
Top 14 talking points: Managers feel February blues
Bayonne boss nears exit door after a back-to-back Top 14 defeats at home, while Toulon manager threatens to walk unless his side’s performances improve
France
Wales v France: how Les Bleus are shaping up for Cardiff
Injuries and returns after their Six Nations’ opening night win against Ireland mean France have some decisions to make in the days before they face Wales
Top 14 talking points: Defiant Toulouse damn the doublons
Toulouse marched on without their current French internationals, Clermont tripped up at Castres, Perpignan and La Rochelle paid heavily for early frailties, and penalties cost dearly Toulon on the final weekend of the Top 14 before a short Six Nations hiatus.
France
Top 14 talking points: Bayonne’s fortress breached 595 days later
Castres ended Bayonne’s 19-month Top 14 home run, Toulon continued theirs, Perpignan opened up what appears to be a crucial lead over Montauban at the bottom of the table, and Gregory Alldritt proved a point as La Rochelle went down fighting at Clermont.
France
Finally, could this be the dawn of the Age of Dupont-Jalibert for France rugby?
It has been a long time coming, but the 2026 Six Nations could be finally see France’s long desired scrum-half, fly-half partnership start to realise its immense potential
French Rugby Explained
Coaching Philosophies 101: Castres’ Steven Setephano
What drives Castres Olympique defence coach Steven Setephano
French Rugby Explained
French rugby. Explained. Dissected. Enjoyed
There’s rugby ... and, then, there’s French rugby Hello — as that big image at the top reads — and welcome to Le Rugby, a new guide through the strange and mysterious world of French rugby. This newsletter is for ... well... anyone and everyone interested in the game in France. There