The data can give us an indication which squad is best prepared for a period of success and English and Italian fans should be happy
A doubt for the World Cup opener against the All Blacks, the powerful La Rochelle centre has been key cog in the French revolution
It’s hard to fathom that it was 2019 when the last full-on Junior World Championship was held, but that is about to change later this month when the best of the current U20s players from around the globe assemble in South Africa for matches in Stellenbosch, Paarl and Cape Town from June 24.
France boss Fabien Galthie has included eight uncapped players in his squad of 42 for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
France have gone from pretenders to contenders in 12 months but can they back up the expectation of a nation?
Number 8 Gregory Alldritt is back in the France squad as Fabien Galthie named his finalised 31-man Six Nations.
France have been dealt another personnel blow in the lead-up to their Six Nations campaign.
The latest in the Future of Rugby series looks at France and what sort of U23 XV they could field... the future is bright for Les Bleus.
Sergio Parisse was shown a red card in the first half, but Stade Francais made a winning start to the Top 14 away at newly-promoted Perpignan.
Budgets, players to watch, arrivals and departures - and an overview of each club at the start of the new season. Welcome to the Rugby Pass club-by-club Top 14 season preview