The night the French dream died
The devastation took hold at the final whistle but when the pain recedes, France have a young squad and will throw everything at A…
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Gavin Mortimer
17 Oct 2023, 7:14
Contributors
Gavin Mortimer
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.
France unites to ensure Bernie doesn't bring down Les Bleus
French rugby is determined disgraced FFR president Bernard Laporte won’t harm their chances of winning the World Cup
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Gavin Mortimer
05 Jan 2023, 3:00
The end of the line for Laporte?
Convicted of corruption by a court in Paris on Tuesday, the big question is, can Bernard Laporte remain a rugby powerbroker?
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Gavin Mortimer
15 Dec 2022, 4:40
France torn over whether Ntamack or Jalibert partners Dupont at RWC
Fabien Galthie and the French nation are praying that Antoine Dupont stays fit but who partners him at No 10 is up for debate
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Gavin Mortimer
23 Nov 2022, 4:38
November will show if injury-hit France have strength in depth to lift the World Cup
A raft of injuries and the burden of expectation on Les Bleus is ramping up with just 10 months to hosting a global jamboree
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Gavin Mortimer
01 Nov 2022, 13:04
Why is French rugby flourishing while in England it flounders?
Across the channel, there is befuddlement at the crisis engulfing English rugby but if you dig deep enough, you can see why the To…
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Gavin Mortimer
18 Oct 2022, 11:30
Wacky Racing: Will Stuart Lancaster finally help the enigmatic French club fulfil their potential?
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Gavin Mortimer
05 Oct 2022, 4:56
The French disconnection
French referees are different to Anglophone ones – as Bernard Foley discovered to his, and Australia's cost
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Gavin Mortimer
22 Sep 2022, 9:09
Dupont or Ollivon? The battle to be the boss of Les Bleus
French rugby is on a roll and head coach Fabien Galthie now has to choose his captain for the World Cup, it's a straight shoot-out…
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Gavin Mortimer
15 Sep 2022, 10:18
Bernard Laporte: Influential, inspirational and in the dock
French rugby is back at the summit of world rugby but politics threatens to engulf its most influential individuals a year out fro…
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Gavin Mortimer
19 Aug 2022, 7:23
Yoram Moefana: France's silent assassin
Hailing from Futuna, a tiny French-speaking South Pacific Island, the Bordeaux-Bègles centre is quietly making waves in Fabien Ga…
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Gavin Mortimer
22 Jul 2022, 3:14
Zach Mercer has usurped Jonny as France's favourite Englishman
The former Bath No 8 has taken the Top 14 by storm with Montpellier and he's been tipped to go to another level
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Gavin Mortimer
07 Jul 2022, 4:37
Will Fabien Galthie unearth more gold nuggets in Japan?
French rugby is on the crest of a wave and they know they can afford to take an understrength squad to Japan and rest their bigges…
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Gavin Mortimer
28 Jun 2022, 5:26
French offer lukewarm response to South Africa's inclusion in the Champions Cup
There is disquiet in France about the inclusion of South African sides in the Champions Cup with some feeling it has been foisted …
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Gavin Mortimer
14 Jun 2022, 7:16
Brain not brawn: the renaissance of Top 14 coaches
The traditional image of a hot-headed, combustible French coach has been replaced by a more reflective, intellectual coach that ha…
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Gavin Mortimer
24 May 2022, 3:57
French rugby points to England's broken system as the gulf between the Top 14 and ProD2 widens
French rugby's second division dwarfs the Championship in England both in terms of revenue and crowd numbers but there are still c…
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Gavin Mortimer
04 May 2022, 12:04
Return of the Saint
Philippe Saint-Andre was left battered and bruised from his experiences with Les Bleus but he has proved doubters wrong by guiding…
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Gavin Mortimer
20 Apr 2022, 4:10
France gets its act together while England bemoans structural failings
French political infighting brought the game to its knees but after a period of stability, results have seen the public fall back …
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Gavin Mortimer
29 Mar 2022, 16:50
Six Nations: Gael Fickou's ascendancy to French defensive lynchpin
The Racing 92 midfielder is the glue that knits a backline of superstars together and at 27, his best years lie ahead of him
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Gavin Mortimer
08 Mar 2022, 11:14
Emmanuel Macron hoping for a Grand Slam election bounce
Sport and politics do mix, and sometimes decide elections, which is why Emmanuel Macron is praying for French success in the Six N…
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Gavin Mortimer
17 Feb 2022, 2:37
Liberte, egalite, vaccine?
New laws state that professional rugby players in France are no longer free to play if they haven't been triple vaccinated
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Gavin Mortimer
19 Jan 2022, 3:31
Warming the bench for a once-in-a-generation talent
The little-known players toiling in the shadows of giants.
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Gavin Mortimer
18 Dec 2021, 2:57
Josh Brennan adds French accent to rich Irish heritage
The name and the accent are Irish but the heart of rising Toulouse star Josh Brennan belongs to France
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Gavin Mortimer
30 Nov 2021, 11:43
France v All Blacks: Over the Rainbow?
When French secret service agents sunk Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985, they fuelled a long rivalry wit…
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Gavin Mortimer
18 Nov 2021, 10:11
Antoine Dupont: Can Les Bleus' GOAT inspire 2023 glory?
Antoine Dupont is already the greatest player in French rugby history. Can he keep his focus as the spotlight intensifies?
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Gavin Mortimer
14 Oct 2021, 3:30
Break down the language barrier
It’s not fair to France that referees speak only English but will World Rugby translate that into action?
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Gavin Mortimer
22 Sep 2021, 12:28
Rags to riches
Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has overcome a traumatic upbringing to become rugby's biggest powerbroker
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Gavin Mortimer
08 Sep 2021, 12:51
The rise and fall of Toulon
The dynasty built by Mourad Boudjellal has crumbled since he opted out and it is a shadow of its former self
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Gavin Mortimer
16 Aug 2021, 5:28
Baby Bleus widen Galthie's 2023 talent pool
France lost a tight series Down Under but there were enough longer-term positives to please coach Fabien Galthié
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Gavin Mortimer
20 Jul 2021, 13:47
France's tour of hotel hell
A callow French squad prepare to embark on their grinding voyage to Australia
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Gavin Mortimer
24 Jun 2021, 13:07
The empire strikes back
After a decade of decline, Toulouse are on the brink of a new era of European domination.
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Gavin Mortimer
20 May 2021, 12:04
Bright Vannes man
Nick Abendanon is a shining example of how overseas players should adapt to life in France
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Gavin Mortimer
11 May 2021, 4:14
French renaissance artist
Little-known coach Didier Retière has led the revival in France's fortunes
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Gavin Mortimer
18 Mar 2021, 5:28
Singing the Bleus
For all France's development, they will not win the next World Cup without a top-class goal-kicker.
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Gavin Mortimer
23 Feb 2021, 11:14
The French evolution
After a decade of turmoil, things are finally looking up for Les Bleus.
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Gavin Mortimer
07 Jan 2021, 9:54
Fun and games
Bernard Le Roux has been given a new lease of life by France's youngsters
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Gavin Mortimer
06 Dec 2020, 2:56
Love Islanders
Les Bleus are looking to Pacific territories for talent, but will it bring heartbreak for young players in France?
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Gavin Mortimer
05 Nov 2020, 12:33
Seeing red
A rash of Top 14 red cards, has seen many French commentators call for more flair and less flare
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Gavin Mortimer
14 Oct 2020, 13:12
French education
Gabriel Ibitoye left Harlequins for a new challenge and he's making headlines at Agen
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Gavin Mortimer
03 Oct 2020, 4:13
Storm clouds gather
Bernard Laporte's arrest has led to claim and counterclaim to further muddy French political waters
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Gavin Mortimer
23 Sep 2020, 13:21
Speed of light
A leap of faith has seen Cheslin Kolbe’s renaissance as a World Cup winner
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Gavin Mortimer
02 Sep 2020, 12:38
