Gavin Mortimer

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

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

07 Jul 2022, 4:37

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…

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

22 Jul 2022, 3:14

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…

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

19 Aug 2022, 7:23

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…

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

15 Sep 2022, 10:18

The French disconnection

French referees are different to Anglophone ones – as Bernard Foley discovered to his, and Australia's cost

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

22 Sep 2022, 9:09

Wacky Racing: Will Stuart Lancaster finally help the enigmatic French club fulfil their potential?

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

05 Oct 2022, 4:56

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…

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

18 Oct 2022, 11:30

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

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

01 Nov 2022, 13:04

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

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

23 Nov 2022, 4:38

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?

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

15 Dec 2022, 4:40

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 

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

05 Jan 2023, 3:00

Warming the bench for a once-in-a-generation talent

The little-known players toiling in the shadows of giants.

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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…

FEATURE

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?

FEATURE

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?

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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.

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

11 May 2021, 4:14

French renaissance artist

Little-known coach Didier Retière has led the revival in France's fortunes

FEATURE

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.

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

23 Feb 2021, 11:14

The French evolution

After a decade of turmoil, things are finally looking up for Les Bleus.

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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?

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

14 Oct 2020, 13:12

French education

Gabriel Ibitoye left Harlequins for a new challenge and he's making headlines at Agen

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

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

FEATURE

Gavin Mortimer

02 Sep 2020, 12:38