
Willemse ruled out for the season
France lock Paul Willemse has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after his club Montpellier announced he will be sidelined for two months with knee damage.
France lock Paul Willemse has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after his club Montpellier announced he will be sidelined for two months with knee damage.
France will kick off the defence of their Six Nations title in 2023 in Rome against Italy on February 5 and wrap up at home against Wales on March 18.
Former Vodacom Bulls lock Paul Willemse says no one from SA Rugby made any effort to convince him not to play for France, or that he had a future representing the Springboks.
Eighthman Duane Vermeulen says high-flying France will be the team to beat when the Springboks travel to Europe for their end-of-year tour in November.
France captain Antoine Dupont was named as the Six Nations Player of the Championship on Friday after leading Les Bleus to a Grand Slam.
France’s Grand Slam-winning coach Fabien Galthie confirmed Wednesday he is to take charge of the invitational side, the Barbarians, for a match against England in June.
The Springboks’ No 1 spot at top of the world’s rankings is under siege from France, after Les Bleus replaced the All Blacks in second place behind South Africa in World Rugby’s official standings.
France rugby coach Fabien Galthie has been rewarded for his side’s stunning Six Nations triumph with a four-year contract extension until 2027.
France captain Antoine Dupont insisted he wanted to “make the most” of a long-awaited Grand Slam success and not worry about the World Cup, after a win at home to England saw Les Bleus to a first Six Nations title in 12 years.
France held their nerve to beat England in the final match of the 2022 Six Nations in Paris on Saturday night and claim their first title since 2010.