Hosting the world’s biggest stars like Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Quade Cooper, the Top 14 is, arguably, Europe’s Premier rugby competition and with weeks to go, it’s edging towards…
France
France: Rugby the most popular team sport… for now
A nationwide poll at the start of this month reported that rugby is now the most popular team sport in France. Some 39% of the population preferred rugby to football’s…
Hotshot: Toulon fly-half Anthony Belleau
Where did rugby begin for you? I am from a village close to Agen in south-west France, so I played for my village from the age of six to 15,…
France: Team of the season in the Top 14
Each Monday Midi Olympique prints its standout XV selected from the weekend’s Top 14 matches. It’s a bit of fun but also an indication – albeit subjective – of who’s…
World Rugby U20 Championship: Eight players to watch
By Alex Shaw The World Rugby U20 Championship begins next week, as the best and brightest talents from around the world converge on Manchester for age-grade rugby’s annual showpiece event.…
Financial penalties in the ProD2 send shockwaves around French rugby
It’s not been the most auspicious season for the ProD2 in France. For a start, Lyon ran away with the title from day one, clinching the crown on April 1…
‘Tour of Hell’ lies ahead for France
France coach Guy Noves has to take on Argentina with a weakened squad
Triumphant Montpellier struggle to win popularity contest
Montpellier's multinational team may have lifted the European Champions Cup but they're struggling to win over the hearts of the French
Is Owen Farrell finally ready to go toe-to-toe with Dan Carter?
By Alex Shaw Reputations are hard to shed once they’ve been cast and in no arena do fans stick to these often outdated misconceptions more so than in rugby. Since…
Why things have clicked for Racing this season
Saracens should be wary of a Racing side fulfilling their potential in this weekend's European Champions Cup final