France Rugby News

The next month represents heaven for rugby fans. It promises to be action of the highest quality - and a chance for a new era of stars to cement their status as talents worthy of the international stage.

With his flowing, shoulder-length hair and immaculately-maintained moustache, Alex Moon fits in seamlessly with the locals as he takes a seat in a trendy Biarritz coffee shop.

As a 53-cap All Black who played at the last two World Cups, Nepo Laulala already had an impressive reputation when he arrived at Gloucester. But then he took on the club's infamous milk challenge.

When I look at the women's game in England, I see only good things. They have exceptional players and strength in depth with new, younger talent coming through.

We've only just stepped through the door of Gareth Anscombe's brand new home in the south of France when we're hit by a wall of noise and activity.

For the last year or so, Ondres' next generation have been able to call on the expertise of an English export with quite a few stories to tell.

Liverpool and Manchester United's owners are ready to go head-to-head by buying teams in the new rugby rebel league threatening to rip up the sport with in millions in investment.

If you thought Welsh rugby was in dire straits after a record 18 straight defeats, seeing off a player strike and with its four franchises on the brink of financial collapse, you'd be wrong. It's a lot worse than that.

NIK SIMON IN PERTH: On the sidelines of Lions training in eastern Brisbane, Blair Kinghorn pedalled away by himself on an exercise bike.

ALEX SPINK: The Exeter Chiefs flier, back on a pitch for the first time in six months after shoulder surgery, caught France fly-half Antoine Hastoy with a neck-high tackle after half an hour.

Up close, England's superstar No 10 shows no marks of the stresses and strains that came from losing his starting shirt, shunted into a new position and then to the bench.

The regular domestic season is over, and on Tuesday night the Premiership handed out their seasonal awards. But here we looking at the lesser-spotted action that deserves its own gongs.

RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL: At a time of financial constraints across British club rugby, all teams are looking to gain a recruitment advantage by unearthing value signings their rivals aren't aware of.

DAN BIGGAR: I know from my time playing in France with Toulon how good they are and Saints do have their work cut out. But make no mistake, this is a game Northampton can win.

At last, here it is, a global guide to help oval-ball enthusiasts plan the best places to take in a fixture - close to home or thousands of miles away.

The 2026 Six Nations will kick-off on a Thursday night with a huge clash between defending champions France and Ireland on February 5 next year.

RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL: When Marcus Smith turned up at Miami's rugby club during designated time off, it quickly became clear there was more to his holiday than initially met the eye.

Legendary former France star Sebastien Chabal said he cannot remember a 'single match' from his glittering playing days in a heartbreaking interview this week.

A former France international and ex-Sale Sharks star has emotionally opened up on his battle with memory loss in a candid and heartbreaking interview.

RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL: Over in Madrid, Spanish rugby officials are plotting to wake up one of the sport's 'sleeping giants'.

A parachutist was caught on the roof of a stadium and had to desperately cling on before being rescued by fire engines, ahead of Toulouse's clash against Sale in the Champions Cup.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY DAN BIGGAR: I had four fantastic years at Northampton during which Courtney Lawes went from being a fearsome opponent with England to a team-mate and friend.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CHRIS FOY: When Shaun Edwards returned home to the south of France, he celebrated yet another title with a rendition of one of The Drifters' greatest hits.

CHRIS FOY: History and tradition don't ease the gridlock or provide an escape from the kettling ordeal at the train station which, sadly, for many, is part of the Twickenham matchday experience.

CHRIS FOY'S WORLD OF RUGBY: What a busy and confusing period it has been for Andy Farrell, the man charged with masterminding a series victory over Australia this summer.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England's strong finish to the Six Nations has catapulted far more of Steve Borthwick's players into Lions contention than there were before the Championship began.

NIK SIMON: The Six Nations came to an end on Saturday, with France pipping England to the title despite losing against Steve Borthwick's side earlier on in the competition.

Peato Mauvaka was lucky to avoid a red card in France's 35-16 win over Scotland in their Six Nations finale, after the hooker lunged head first into Ben White's face.

ANDY NICHOL AND JASON WHITE: It's the final day of the 2025 Six Nations and the title is very much up for grabs. Alas, Scotland aren't in the running. Again. But can they beat France?

CHRIS FOY: This has become the signature Six Nations finale - three Tests in three iconic arenas, back to back. Millions all over the world will tune in and the whole day will be box office.

When Tommy Freeman was selected in the centres this week, Steve Borthwick asked him to stand up in front of the team and perform one of his party tricks.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Make no mistake. When you go away from home in international rugby, the host team will do what they can to disrupt your preparation.

CHRIS FOY'S WORLD OF RUGBY: The Lions is based around history and tradition, old colonial ties, nostalgia and the established routine of visiting three far-flung locations.

ALEX BYWATER: France's iconic captain suffered a horror lower leg injury in his team's Six Nations hammering of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday after he was hit at a ruck by Tadhg Beirne.

NIK SIMON AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: France worked the pitch like Muhammad Ali worked the boxing ring. One of their greatest performances under Fabien Galthie.

Dr Barry O'Driscoll has devoted most of his life's work to safeguarding the sport he loves with a particular focus on limiting the dangers of head injuries and concussion.

French football legend Thierry Henry has visited his nation's rugby team ahead of their Six Nations showdown with Ireland this weekend.

DAN BIGGAR: The fact England supporters booed Alex Mitchell's box kicking against Scotland wasn't a reflection on him, but it summed up the fans' frustration at the team's tactics.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: With England now two wins from three in this Six Nations after back-to-back victories over France and Scotland, we're set for a thrilling finale to the 2025 Championship.

NIK SIMON: England just about remain in the hunt to win, and have got through the three toughest fixtures with their chances intact - even if they were a Finn Russell conversion away from losing to Scotland.

Antoine Dupont set his sights on a Six Nations humdinger with Ireland after France's iconic captain produced his latest masterclass in an 11-try hammering of Italy.

Over the past 25 years, the Six Nations has witnessed some brilliant tries and matches which will live long in the memory. But there is another side to rugby's annual showpiece.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Time and time again at Twickenham, the French defence was challenged and breached by the daring England full-back.

NIK SIMON: The second weekend of the Six Nations delivered yet more drama and intrigue - and England upset the apple cart.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England's win over France was the highlight of round two of the Six Nations. But the first fortnight of action has shown once again why it is the greatest rugby tournament.

OLIVER HOLT: Perhaps it felt like this if you went to the second day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval in 1948 to witness the final regal flourish of Don Bradman and saw him bowled out for a duck.

NIK SIMON AT TWICKENHAM: A last-minute conversion from Fin Smith secured England's first victory over tier one opponents for almost a year and eased pressure on Borthwick.

England secured a pulsating 26-25 victory over France and kickstarted their Six Nations campaign. CHRIS FOY rated the players at Allianz Stadium.

CHRIS FOY, DAN BIGGAR, JOE MARLER AND SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Mail Sport's esteemed columnists have all sought to identify ways to combat the maestro No 9.

JOE MARLER: The dressing room after defeat in your opening match in the Six Nations is a hard place to be.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: As an international head coach, there comes a time when you have to nail your colours to the mast on selection and then stick to your guns.

CHRIS FOY: Tom Willis can give England a new dimension on his first start in Test rugby - having been likened to a mighty Springbok legend who goes by the nickname 'Thor'.

Damian Penaud is poised to become the king of French try-scorers and he could even pass the great Serge Blanco's record at Twickenham - a prospect which won't faze him in the slightest.

NIK SIMON - RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL: For the first time at Twickenham this weekend, France's players will not be able to invite their English rivals into the changing room for a beer.

NIK SIMON: When the Welsh coaches prepared for their opening Test in Paris, they prepared to face the 'sixth sense' of France's offloading game.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The decision to go with both Smiths - Marcus and Fin - against France is a huge gamble for Steve Borthwick as England desperately try and search for a win.

CHRIS FOY: Perhaps they will make a difference - and it won't be so strange for them to operate in tandem in the Six Nations encounter with title favourites France.

EXCLUSIVE BY CHRIS FOY: England are set to unleash a new playmaker double-act against France at Twickenham on Saturday, by naming their two Smiths together in a revamped back division.

England have lost their last seven games against Tier One countries and there has been a clear and recurring theme to those defeats.

NIK SIMON: The opening weekend of the Six Nations delivered three bonus-point wins and set the tone for a mouth-watering championship. But who stood out most on weekend one?

The return of the Six Nations is finally here. Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 Six Nations including full fixture schedule, kick-off times and how to watch.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: After he missed last year's Six Nations, Antoine Dupont's return for the 2025 Championship is brilliant news not only for France, but for all rugby fans.

EXCLUSIVE BY ALEX BYWATER: Meetings with Lionel Messi and LeBron James, FaceTiming Zinedine Zidane, and treading the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week aren't normal rugby behaviour.

Mail Sport's expert panel of former Scotland captains Andy Nicol and Jason White, plus our Deputy Chief Sports Writer Calum Crowe, preview the Six Nations

European rugby's annual showpiece is among the best-attended regular sporting events in the world, with most matches taking place in front of passionate, capacity crowds.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I'm really looking forward to this Six Nations because I think it should be a great tournament and no one knows exactly what is coming.

The Six Nations gets underway in Paris in just under a week's time with France hosting Wales. Here, DAN BIGGAR predicts how the tournament will play out.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 Six Nations including full fixture schedule, kick-off times and how to watch.

RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL: The fly-on-the-wall documentary could be the victim of a change in strategy at Netflix, who are now ploughing their budgets into live events.

ALEX BYWATER: The New Year brings new possibilities and 2025 has the potential to be a truly brilliant 12 months for the game of rugby union.

Ronan O'Gara has put England and Ireland on alert after he admitted he has ambitions to work at international level with one of both countries, or France, in the future.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: If Dupont is missing from such grand events, can he become the GOAT - or justify the argument that he already is at that exalted level?

CHRIS FOY: Qatar made an offer to the game's leading powerbrokers worth £800million over the first four instalments of the 12-team tournament - in 2026, 2028, 20230 and 2032.

NIK SIMON: Having moved to Paris and new club Racing 92 from Hertfordshire last month, former England captain Farrell is miles out of his comfort zone.

MATT BARLOW: Six hours in, there's a British bronze in the bag, an upset in the fencing, a stack of empty teacups and time trialling cyclists are skidding around in Parisian puddles.

The 25-year-old shared the clip on his Instagram account after kicking a penalty in France's 28-13 victory over Argentina on July 6. He then apologised for the comments and deleted the post.

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who featured in France's 28-13 Test victory over Argentina on Saturday, were detained in Buenos Aires and will be taken to Mendoza.

EXCLUSIVE: The history of Toulouse isn't lost on Blair Kinghorn. The fact he now plays for the most successful club in Europe is something he is reminded of on a daily basis.

ALEX BYWATER: Ahead of this Six Nations, England's players took part in a lifestyle photoshoot with the aim of taking women's rugby to new audiences. They are certainly doing that.