Le French Rugby Podcast

Another week, another Grand Slam winner... France enforcer Paul Willemse joins us to discuss his role as the only out-and-out second row in the team, the specialist coaching expertise and how it all comes together, the Shaun Edwards effect, his journey from budding Springbok to French hero and how he was completely ignored by the SARU, the struggle to fit into the national team at first, the honou...

We're joined by Grand Slam winner and Six Nations Player of the Championship nominee Greg Alldritt to find out whether the trophy really got lost in the Seine, how the celebrations went down, what it's like being a player in this France setup, the relationship with Fabien Galthie, Shaun Edwards and the other coaches, the brotherhood between the players, his rapid rise from Federale 1 to the nation...

It's crunch time for Fabien Galthie's men as they prepare to face England with a title and Grand Slam on the line in Paris and we analyse all the tactical, personnel and mental battles. Former England international and Toulon and Lyon full back Delon Armitage joins us to give us his insight, as well as to share a few stories on the likes of Bernard Laporte and Mourad Boudjellal from his Champions...

Former Racing, Bayonne, Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum half Mike Phillips joins us to look ahead to France's trip to Cardiff. He gives us his view on Antoine Dupont, tells us about the Shaun Edwards effect and looks back on his time in the Top 14. We hear about the ups and downs in Bayonne, how Dan Carter helped him meet his wife and about his social media interaction with a French TV p...

Benjamin Kayser and Johnnie Beattie are back to go through France's big win at Murrayfield with a fine tooth comb. We discuss how the French are now set up to win away, how Gregor Townsend ignored all of Johnnie's tactical advice and how he bumped into a few of the celebrating France stars in Edinburgh afterwards. Plus, we discuss whether laws need to change after Italy's defeat in Dublin, debate...

We're joined by former Scotland captain and ex-Clermont scrum half Greig Laidlaw to discuss whether the Scots can be the ones to stop this France side and beat them in the Six Nations for a third straight year. We chat about how to stop Antoine Dupont, the physicality advantage of the French, Finn Russell's need to bounce back and the selection issues both sides face. Plus, there's a couple of cra...

France are the only team left in this year's Six Nations with their Grand Slam hopes still alive and we're joined by former Ireland hooker and ex-Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman to dissect their win over Ireland. We discuss French physicality, the calibre of coaching, dessert-gate during his time in France and much more. Plus, Johnnie picks himself up after another false dawn for Scotland, Benji gi...

Ireland international and former Racing 92 man Simon Zebo joins us to look ahead to the potentially Six Nations title-defining showdown between France and Ireland and give us an insight into both camps. We look at the changes with Ireland under Andy Farrell and what life is like in camp and analyse where Johnny Sexton might be looking to pick holes in Shaun Edwards' defence, as well as discussing...

It's Coming Home... or Ramenez La Coupe A La Maison as Benji would say! We preview the 2022 Six Nations, discuss how badly Fabien Galthie's preparations have been affected and what selection headaches he faces but, 12 years on from their last Six Nations triumph, do Johnnie and Benji think it's going to be France's year? Plus, we look at some of the latest goings on in the Top 14, discuss one of t...

Stade Francais skipper Tala Gray joins us to relive the drama of their victory over Connacht by six points to get exactly what they needed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup... and what he said to Wayne Barnes in the aftermath of Tolu Latu's red card! We also talk about switching international allegiance to Samoa and cover all the talking points from Europe, as well as discuss...

We're joined by Racing 92 attack coach Mike Prendergast to hear what it's like organising the likes of Finn Russell, Kurtley Beale, Virimi Vakatawa, Gael Fickou and co. We discuss his route to the top, those rumours linking him with a return to Munster, his relationship with Ronan O'Gara, the heartache that's driving Racing on and how they raise their game in Europe. Plus, we analyse the Round 3 a...

We catch up with England international Zach Mercer to find out all about the Covid cases in the Montpellier camp, their European ambition, how he's thriving on and off the field in France, being back on Eddie Jones' radar after a chat at a recent Top 14 game and much more. Plus, we discuss the lay of the land in the Top 14 and how the regulations in France are affecting rugby and the Champions Cup...

Benji's back to tell us about his try-scoring exploits in Dubai, Johnnie's navigated travel chaos to make it home for Christmas and we look back on a weekend where politics played its part and Castres were the only French side in action in the Champions Cup. We assess whether the whole of Round 2 should have been postponed as the Top 14 sides wanted, whether there's going to be an asterisk by the...

Current La Rochelle and soon to be Toulon fly half Ihaia West joins us to discuss the heartache of losing out in two finals last season, the criticism he received, learning lessons under Ronan O'Gara, the contrast in playing style with his head coach, how the move to Toulon came about and the prospect of a switch in nationality after the change in World Rugby's eligibility laws. Plus, we round up...

France assistant coach Shaun Edwards joins us to discuss where the recent win over the All Blacks ranks in the list of special days he's had as a coach, what it's like working with Fabien Galthie, the need to win something, overcoming the language barrier, Gael Fickou's role as defensive captain, Antoine Dupont's freakish ability, the recent law changes and eligibility ruling and much more. Plus,...

It's December and that can only mean one thing... Santi's coming to town! Fresh from scoring a sackful of tries in Bordeaux's big win away at Racing, Argentina international Santi Cordero joins us to talk about the cultural difference with Exeter, Christophe Urios' coaching methods and wine venture, Matthieu Jalibert's dogs, the Pumas' tough couple of years on the road and the controversial moment...

Double World Cup winner Jerome Kaino joins us to pick the bones out of Les Bleus' biggest ever win over the All Blacks and a potentially seminal victory for Fabien Galthie's France. We discuss his influence on the likes of Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont, the easiest World Player of the Year decision ever, hobnobbing with Neymar and Bond girls and much more. Plus, Benji and Johnnie talk us throu...

Benji's back with a good excuse for missing last week and tales to tell from his big night out with Rodrigo Roncero, we look at whether Antoine Dupont will win the World Player of the Year award and why front rowers never get a look in! And, of course, we build up to a huge clash in Paris and assess how France go about trying to beat New Zealand for the first time in 12 years. Plus, we may or may...

Benji was led astray on Saturday night by his Argentinian hero so we've got a former Puma on the show to replace him and there's all the lowdown on Thibaud Flament's dream debut, Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack's combination, whether Fabien Galthié will stick with it against the All Blacks and much more. Plus, a few Top 14 transfer rumours and our MEATER Moment of the Week... Use the code FRE...

Johnnie and Benji are predicting big things as France prepare to get their autumn underway against Argentina with Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack in tandem, while we speak to the man who was briefly in charge of Toulon about a turbulent week for the club. James Coughlan, who took charge of the team for the win over Biarritz, fills us in on Patrice Collazo's departure, Franck Azema's arrival a...

We're joined by the cornerstone of Clermont's side over the past decade Fritz Lee this week to discuss the return of Jono Gibbes, how a three-month stint in the Massif Central turned into a nine-year stay, the possibility of turning out for France or Samoa and much more. Plus, we look at the appointment of Antoine Dupont as France captain, chat goal-kickers after Morgan Parra's epic streak of succ...

Benji and Johnnie are back to dissect Fabien Galthie's France squad for the autumn internationals and give their view on who will make the first choice XV and who will captain the side in Charles Ollivon's absence. Plus, we're joined by former All Black Francis Saili to fill us in on everything going on in Biarritz from whether the club is moving to Lille to naked plane rides and six-figure sums s...

We're back and who better to help us kick off Season 2 than the King of Toulouse... Big Joe Tekori joins us to talk corner flags, celebrations, gin and tonic kryptonite, being Mr Barbarians, Cheslin Kolbe's departure and whether he has another contract left in him! Plus, we discuss a host of rumours in the Top 14, including whether current France fly half Matthieu Jalibert and former France scrum...

We're joined by World Cup winner and now Top 14 and Champions Cup double winner Charlie Faumuina and his ski goggles for the final episode of the season to discuss how good this current Toulouse side is and whether a dynasty can be created to rival or eclipse the great sides of previous generations and, of course, how good the celebrations have been over the past few days! Plus, we discuss the uni...

Benji and Johnnie are back to analyse the Top 14 semi-finals and look ahead to whether La Rochelle can exact revenge on Toulouse in the final after losing out to the same opponents in the Champions Cup showpiece last month. Plus, we chat to former France back row Antonie Claassen after he played the final game of a long and illustrious career in Racing's semi-final defeat. Hosted on Acast. See aca...