France

A number of Pumas may play for the French Barbarians this November. The French Barbarians will play host to Australia on November 21 at the Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux. The soon to be confirmed international is to fall in between Australia’s November Internationals against France and Ireland. It is …

In a stunning move the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has terminated its bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023. The decision was taken by the FIR and the Promoting Committee following consultation with the Italian Government and the Italian Olympic Committee. “Our candidature has always been strictly connected to the …

The departure of Argentine players to Europe continues. The latest to leave is 25-year-old Facundo Panceyra Garrido who will play for Charente in the Pro D2. Charente are sitting pretty in fourth spot of the Pro D2 after four rounds. The club is playing in France’s second division for the …

World Rugby must act to change player eligibility rules immediately. It cannot allow for test match rugby to be tarnished any further. The sport is under attack at the highest level as unions are using the laws to their advantage to identity talent and nationalize players to, within three years, have …

Takudzwa Ngwenya will be returning to France, according to French media sources. The US Eagles rocket-man will join Brive in the Top 14 in the coming days, signing as a medical joker for former Australia 7s rep Alfi Mafi who has undergone shoulder surgery. Ngwenya enjoyed nine seasons with Biarritz …

September 07 2007, the day rugby changed forever, and for the better. The international order was turned on its head thanks to Argentina defeating France in the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2007. While many thought of it as being a major upset this was not the reality. Instead …

Hosting a Rugby World Cup is something unions, supporters and players alike all dream of. For some the opportunity has already been realized. For others it is being mapped out as a futuristic goal. Argentina, Canada and the USA are all such instances. For 2023 none are bidding, with the …

Conor Trainor could not have asked for a better start to his professional career in France. The Canadian centre enjoyed a memorable debut for Vannes against Montauban on Friday, scything through the defense to score his first professional try in the 33rd minute. Despite trailing 17-13 at the half, Vannes …

The second division of the French domestic championship – the Pro D2 – starts a new season today. Competing for the right to earn promotion to the Top 14 will be sixteen clubs. Eleven of them are in France’s south-west, the traditional hot bed of French rugby. But with large cities taking …

A new season of Pro D2 rugby begins on Thursday. The opening round kicks off two months after the 2016 final. With there being 30 rounds and playoffs to be juggled alongside test rugby and European club rugby it is a long, long season. The new season sees Oyonnax and Agen back …