Faux pas to undervalue French infuence

THERE was, predictably, a deal of moaning and mourning from some quarters about the decision of World Rugby’s delegates to vote for France as RWC2023 hosts but that yet again demonstrates how many continue to underestimate France’s global influence.

France were out there spreading the rugby gospel long before the old IRB stopped being a cosy club and invited others to ‘their’ party. They were always going to pick up the ‘minor’ nations and continental federation votes, and after that they just had to charm a couple of old friends on top table like Scotland and Italy to move into pole position.

France has played a huge role in the development of rugby in Georgia, Romania, Italy, Argentina, Spain and Belgium. For years it was the mainstay of FIRA and ditto it spread Rugby throughout French speaking Africa – Cote D’Ivoire, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritius, Madagascar, Senegal and the Cameroon.

Fingers are pointed at the African Federation siding with France but in truth their members have just as much affinity with them as they do with South Africa.

Many criticise the T14 and, yes, it can undoubtedly be exploitive and needs reining in on occasions but the French championship – and the entirely professional ProD2 and even the Federale below that – is truly the breadbasket of world rugby. There wouldn’t be a world game without it.

Over 300 Fijian rugby players earn a living in France and without that professional lifestyle there could be no competitive Fijian national side. Much the same could be said for Samoa and Tonga and in fact every nation listed above.

Spain could not dream big without their Pro D2 players, Belgium’s ambitions are built on their dual qualified Frenchspeaking contingent who play over the border. French Rugby is a veritable tower of Babel but on Wednesday many spoke with one voice.