There are few more talented national rugby teams in the world than France. The European nation have achieved huge success throughout their history, and further triumphs will be on the agenda when the Six Nations gets underway in 2024.
However, which players currently make up the French rugby squad, and how have they performed in previous internationals for the team? OVAL3 gives you a full guide into the past and present of the French rugby squad, with a glimpse into the future.
Introduction
France are one of the most successful national sides in international rugby. However, their long wait for World Cup success continued during 2023, as they were unable to reach the semi-final stage at their home edition of the tournament. But, there is still huge talent across the French rugby squad, evident from the honours that have been won in history.
The World Cup continues to be a prize than elude the French rugby squad, but they have finished as the runners-up on three separate occasions. Their most recent run to the final came in 2011. France have also finished third at the World Cup on one occasion, achieving that finish in 1995.
France have been crowned Six Nations champions on 26 previous occasions, and have landed Grand Slam glory ten times. The nation’s first success in the Six Nations came back in 1959, before they were able to win 20 further prizes before the turn of the millennium. Victories since 2000 have been harder to come by, as they won four titles between 2002 and 2007.
However, the French Grand Slam success in 2022 will live long in the memory, as it marked the first time since 2010 that they had won the Six Nations. The victory also marked the first time in 12 years that the French rugby squad had won the Grand Slam. But, France did finish as the runners-up in two straight editions of the tournament in 2020 and 2021. Their most recent second-place finish came in 2023, as they finished behind Ireland.
The French national rugby squad has also achieved success at the Olympic Games, winning gold in 1900, before claiming silver in medals on two occasions in the 1920s. So, which players currently make up the French rugby squad?
Current Squad
Pierre Bourgarit
Julien Marchand
Peato Mauvaka
Dorian Aldegheri
Uini Atonio
Cyril Baille
Sipili Falatea
Jean-Baptiste Gros
Reda Wardi
Bastien Chalureau
Thibaud Flament
Romain Taofifenua
Cameron Woki
Gregory Alldritt
Paul Boudehent
Francois Cros
Anthony Jelonch
Sekou Macalou
Charles Ollivon
Baptiste Couilloud
Antoine Dupont
Maxime Lucu
Antoine Hastoy
Matthieu Jalibert
Jonathan Danty
Gael Fickou
Yoram Moefana
Arthur Vincent
Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Damian Penaud
Gabin Villiere
Melvyn Jaminet
Thomas Ramos
Top 10 Players Of French Rugby National Team
Antoine Dupont
There are few more naturally gifted players in the French rugby squad than Antoine Dupont. The 27-year-old is the captain of the national side, as is widely regarded as one of the best French rugby players of all time and definitely the best of the current generation. Dupont’s performances on the field were honored in 2021, as he was awarded the Men’s Player of the Year.
He was also in sensational form during the 2022 Six Nations-winning campaign, winning the Player of the Match accolade on three occasions. The star has also won five major honours during his career, which includes three Top 14 titles with Toulouse. He will be aiming for more success when he represents the national side at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Gael Fickou
There are few more experienced players in the French rugby squad than Gael Fickou. The 29-year-old has played 85 times for the national side, scoring an impressive 70 points.
The centre has been compared to a number of legendary figures in the game throughout his career, including New Zealand superstar Sonny Bill Williams. Fickou was one of the standout players for France as they won the Six Nations Grand Slam title in 2022.
Gregory Alldritt
Gregory Alldritt has become one of the key players in the France team since making his international debut against Wales in 2019. The number eight has been a key player domestically for Top 14 side La Rochelle since 2017, scoring an impressive 160 points in 100 appearances.
He has also transferred that form to the national side after scoring 20 points in 45 appearances. The 26-year-old has already achieved huge success in the game, having won the European Rugby Champions Cup on two occasions, and the Six Nations in 2022.
Matthieu Jalibert
Matthieu Jalibert has been one of the key players in the successful period achieved by France since 2018. The fly-half made his international debut in the opening game of the Six Nations in 2018, aged just 19.
During his international career, he has already scored three tries for France, which included an effort in the 60-7 success against Italy in the 2023 World Cup. At club level, he represents Bordeaux, and he has scored a formidable 948 points in 95 appearances in Top 14.
Thomas Ramos
There are few more important players in the French national rugby squad than Thomas Ramos. The 28-year-old has quickly become an integral part of the national set up after making his professional debut in the 2019 Six Nations against England.
Ramos has scored a stunning 1,539 points in 135 games for Toulouse, and 274 points in 31 appearances for the French rugby squad. To date, he has won the Top 14 title on three occasions, and the European Rugby Champions Cup at club level. Meanwhile, he was a key player in the Six Nations winning campaign in 2022.
Uini Atonio
Despite being born in New Zealand, Uini Atonio has been a standout player for the French rugby squad throughout his career. The prop made his debut for the French national rugby squad in 2014, and he has played 57 times for the team, scoring ten points.
He has also achieved huge success throughout his club career, playing 276 times for La Rochelle. He is a two-time European Rugby Champions Cup winner with the French side, and he has also won the Top 14 title on two occasions.
Cyril Baille
Cyril Baille has been one of the most consistent performers in the French rugby squad throughout recent history. The prop made his international debut for France in 2016 after previously representing the U20 team in 2013.
To date, he has played 46 times for the national side, scoring 25 points. Baille has also played Top 14 rugby with Toulouse since 2012, scoring 30 points. At club level, he is a two-time winner of the Top 14, and was part of the 2021 side that landed success in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Damian Penaud
There are few more important players in the French rugby squad than Damian Penaud. The 27-year-old made his international debut for France in 2017, and has been a regular point scorer for the team, registering 175 points in 48 appearances.
Penaud has also been a key player at club level in France, winning the 2017 Top 14 title and the 2019 European Rugby Challenge Cup with Clermont. Penaud’s importance to the national side was once again evident during the 2022 Grand Slam-winning year.
Peato Mauvaka
There have been few brighter stars in recent French rugby history than Peato Mauvaka. The 26-year-old was one of the shining lights in the French rugby squad during the 2023 World Cup, as he scored a try in an ultimate loss at the quarterfinal stage against South Africa.
The hooker has also achieved huge success at club level throughout his professional career, having played 110 times for Toulouse, scoring 60 points. Mauvaka has achieved huge success during his career to this point, which includes success in the Top 14 on two occasions and the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2021. The hooker was also a key member of the Six Nations Grand Slam-winning team in 2022.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey
One of the brightest prospects in the French rugby squad at present is Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The 20-year-old was one of the stars of the World Cup, as he finished the tournament in third place in terms of total clean breaks. There is a lot more to come from the winger after establishing himself as a key member of the national side before the World Cup.
Bielle-Biarrey has already scored 25 points for France in international matches, which includes three tries that were scored at the World Cup. His performances domestically have also been very eye-catching, as he has scored 47 points in 29 appearances in Top 14 for Bordeaux.
French Rugby Squad In World Cup 2023
- Pierre Bourgarit - Hooker
- Peato Mauvaka - Hooker
- Julien Marchand - Hooker
- Dorian Aldegheri - Prop
- Cyril Baille - Prop
- Jean-Baptiste Gros - Prop
- Uini Atonio - Prop
- Sipili Falatea - Prop
- Reda Wardi - Prop
- Thibaud Flament - Lock
- Bastien Chalureau - Lock
- Romain Taofifenua - Lock
- Cameron Woki - Lock
- Paul Boudehent - Back Row
- Gregory Alldritt - Back Row
- Francois Cros - Back Row
- Sekou Macalou - Back Row
- Anthony Jelonch - Back Row
- Charles Ollivon - Back Row
- Antoine Dupont - Scrum-Half
- Baptiste Couilloud - Scrum-Half
- Maxime Lucu - Scrum-Half
- Matthieu Jalibert - Fly-Half
- Antoine Hastoy - Fly-Half
- Gael Fickou - Centre
- Arthur Vincent - Centre
- Jonathan Danty - Centre
- Yoram Moefana - Centre
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey - Wing
- Damian Penaud - Wing
- Gabin Villiere - Wing
- Melvyn Jaminet - Fullback
- Thomas Ramos - Fullback
The French rugby squad for the 2023 World Cup was full of talent, as hopes were high for a first World Cup triumph. The tournament got off to the perfect start with a victory over New Zealand in Paris, as the French topped their Pool A campaign. However, dreams came to a crashing halt in the first knockout round, as the French were eventually beaten in agonising fashion by future winners South Africa.
French World Cup Squad in World Cup 2019
- Camille Chat - Hooker
- Guilhem Guirado - Hooker
- Peato Mauvaka - Hooker
- Christopher Tolofua - Hooker
- Cyril Baille - Prop
- Demba Bamba - Prop
- Cedate Gomes Sa - Prop
- Jefferson Poirot - Prop
- Emerick Setiano - Prop
- Rabah Slimani - Prop
- Paul Gabrillagues - Lock
- Sebastien Vahaamahina - Lock
- Gregory Alldritt - Back Row
- Yacouba Camara - Back Row
- Arthur Iturria - Back Row
- Wenceslas Lauret - Back Row
- Bernard Le Roux - Back Row
- Charles Olivon - Back Row
- Louis Picamoles - Back Row
- Antoine Dupont - Scrum-Half
- Maxime Machenaud - Scrum-Half
- Baptiste Serin - Scrum-Half
- Camille Lopez - Fly-Half
- Romain Ntamack - Fly-Half
- Pierre-Louis Barassi - Centre
- Gael Fickou -Centre
- Wesley Fofana - Centre
- Vrimi Vakatawa - Centre
- Sofiane Guitoune - Wing
- Yoann Huget - Wing
- Damian Penaud - Wing
- Alivereti Raka - Wing
- Vincent Rattez- Wing
- Maxime Medard - Fullback
- Thomas Ramos - Fullback
The French rugby squad went into the 2019 World Cup in Japan with high hopes after a strong build-up to the tournament. Those hopes were raised even more after an impressive Pool C campaign, as they avoided defeats in four internationals against England, Argentina, Tonga and the United States. However, France’s journey would come to an end at the quarterfinal stage, as they were beaten by a one-point margin by Wales in the last eight in Oita.
French Rugby Squad In World Cup 2015
- Guilhem Guirado - Hooker
- Benjamin Kayser - Hooker
- Dimitri Szarzewski - Hooker
- Uini Atonio - Prop
- Eddie Ben Arous - Prop
- Vincent Debaty - Prop
- Nicolas Mas - Prop
- Robah Slimani - Prop
- Alexandre Flanquart - Lock
- Yoann Maestri - Lock
- Pascal Pape - Lock
- Thierry Dusautoir - Flanker
- Bernard Le Roux - Flanker
- Yannick Nyanga - Flanker
- Fulgence Ouedraogo - Flanker
- Damien Chouly - Number 8
- Louis Picamoles - Number 8
- Rory Kockott - Scrum-Half
- Morgan Parra - Scrum-Half
- Sebastien Tilous-Borde - Scrum-Half
- Frederic Michalak - Fly-Half
- Remi Tales - Fly-Half
- Mathieu Bastareaud - Centre
- Alexandre Dumoulin - Centre
- Gael Fickou - Centre
- Wesley Fofana - Centre
- Remy Grosso - Wing
- Sofiane Guitoune - Wing
- Yoann Huget - Wing
- Noa Nakaitaci - Wing
- Brice Dulin - Full-Back
- Scott Spedding - Full-Back
The French rugby squad for the 2015 World Cup was led into the tournament by Philippe Saint-Andre, as the nation looked to deliver a first success.
France didn’t have things all their own way during the Pool D campaign, as they suffered one defeat in three matches. However, they still comfortably finished second in the standings behind Ireland. Still, the team came up well short in their goal to reach the final four, as they were easily dismantled by a 62-13 scoreline against New Zealand in Cardiff.
