No one forgets their first gouge. Feeling another man’s finger burrowing into one’s eye is a frightening experience. It happened to me in my second match in France. I’d made…
France
Champions Cup: Clubs ready themselves for European adventure
The Champions Cup starts in earnest this month with enough high-profile clashes to whet the appetite of the most ardent Euro sceptic. The English leg of EPCR’s (European Professional Club…
Top 14: Why Jake White’s approach was his downfall at Montpellier
South African Jake White is set to be replaced as Montpellier coach by Vern Cotter next summer – here's a look at where he went wrong
Top 14 to promote French talent over foreign imports
Midi Olympique’s XV of the Weekend in Monday’s edition was a United Nations of rugby talent. England’s Nick Abendanon at full-back, a couple of Kiwis in Conrad Smith and Casey…
Top 14: Could La Rochelle become French champions?
A gambler would have got enticing odds if he’d bet a few euros on La Rochelle to be leading the Top 14 a month into the new season. Four matches…
Top 14: Last chance saloon for Diego Dominguez at Toulon
Talk about pressure, Toulon travel to Toulouse on Sunday with Diego Dominguez‘s job on the line. Not just his, but those of his assistants, Marc Dal Maso and Jacques Delmas.…
Vannes providing French rugby with a new stronghold
The newly-promoted ProD2 club Vannes is proving a big hit with fans and businesses in Brittany
Top 14: Boudjellal chases the American Dream
Mourad Boudjellal spent his summer vacation in Florida and it seems he was doing more than just lying on a sun lounger. “Boudjellal and the American Dream” was the headline…
French rugby enjoys a popularity boom as it looks to the future
The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) launched its ‘strategic plan’ on Tuesday, outlining its vision for the sport in France up to and including the 2023 World Cup. Before president…
Ten players to watch in the new Top 14 season
The new Top 14 season kicks off in a little over a week and we’ve picked out the ten players to look out for over the coming campaign