What is the French missing to compete with the world top 3?

French Women’s Rugby Seeks Professionalization to Close Gap with Global Leaders

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Following a semi-final loss to England at the Rugby World Cup, French players and officials are emphasizing the need for professionalization to elevate the nation’s women’s rugby program and compete consistently with top teams like England and Canada. the disparity in training regimens and league strength is identified as a key factor hindering France‘s progress.

Currently, players in France’s Elite 1 championship train only twice a week, a notable contrast to England’s fully professional league where players train daily. This difference was highlighted by Nassira Kondé, who stated after the England defeat, “What will perhaps help us are the professionalization of female rugby in France, because clearly, what puts us out of step with the English, is also this side: they are professional and train every day.”

Caroline Drouin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for increased resources to support individual player growth, stating, “On points the individual work of each player who will allow the collective to be better, but for each player who will represent France is more efficient, it is necessary to put more means by its side.”

Half-back pauline Bourdon Sansus expressed optimism about potential political support for the sport, saying, “I think that France also understood that it was necessary to put ways there, so I hope that we are going to have them… I really hope there will be means put on the table and that we can try to catch up with Canada and England.”

Safi N’Diaye pinpointed the weakness of the domestic league, stating, “The gap is too large between the championship and the international level.” She believes a stronger Elite 1 is crucial for national team success.

A recent development offering a potential boost is a three-season title partnership between the AXA insurance association and the Elite 1, announced during the World Cup. While Caroline Drouin cautioned that the concrete impact remains to be seen, she acknowledged it as “a good thing in terms of visibility,” indicating growing interest in the championship.