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.
Little old Oyonnax have secured promotion to the riches of the Top 14 and Englishman Joe El-Abd is their inspiration
The French President is under much pressure domestically and he is hoping that a French World Cup win give him an election fillip
Food, wine and rugby are inextricably linked in France and it is now de rigeur to swap the oval ball for a career in gastronomy
Émilien Gailleton is not a household name yet, but if the 20-year-old is parachuted into the French World Cup squad, he soon coul…
Fabien Galthie has the backing of a country and despite the injury of Romain Ntamack, confidence remains high as the World Cup app…
A doubt for the World Cup opener against the All Blacks, the powerful La Rochelle centre has been key cog in the French revolution
The renaissance of rugby in France has been a long-time coming and Bernard Laporte deserves credit for his vision
While England are panned by the critics, France have dialled down their adventurous instincts and their fans have backed them
The world's best player faces a race against time to play a part in the World Cup but France have to hold their nerve
Os Lobos have impressed with their ambitious play during the tournament and their development must continue
The injury to the talismanic French captain has distracted France from another absence they’ve experienced: meaningful oppositio…
Little historical enmity exists between Les Bleus and the Springboks, but that won't dampen a phenomenal Rugby World Cup quarter-f…
The devastation took hold at the final whistle but when the pain recedes, France have a young squad and will throw everything at A…
French rugby is determined disgraced FFR president Bernard Laporte won’t harm their chances of winning the World Cup
Convicted of corruption by a court in Paris on Tuesday, the big question is, can Bernard Laporte remain a rugby powerbroker?
Fabien Galthie and the French nation are praying that Antoine Dupont stays fit but who partners him at No 10 is up for debate
A raft of injuries and the burden of expectation on Les Bleus is ramping up with just 10 months to hosting a global jamboree
Across the channel, there is befuddlement at the crisis engulfing English rugby but if you dig deep enough, you can see why the To…
French referees are different to Anglophone ones – as Bernard Foley discovered to his, and Australia's cost
