For the first ever time at Twickenham this weekend, France’s players will not be able to invite their English rivals into the changing room for a beer. It is one of the sport’s most long-standing traditions but a booze ban has been imposed on the French team as part of a clampdown on bad behaviour.
Every player in France’s Six Nations squad has had to sign a seven-page declaration, seen by Rugby Confidential, which outlines 17 different rules of engagement. These include strict conditions on alcohol consumption, a zero-tolerance policy on discriminatory language and a ban on non-family members visiting the team hotel.
The rules have been put in place after France’s scandal-ridden tour of Argentina last summer. The series against the Pumas descended into a disaster, with two young players – Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou – placed under house arrest for two months after being accused of raping a 39-year-old woman. Both players featured in France’s opening Test against Wales after the charges were dropped.
On the same tour, full-back Melvyn Jaminet was sent home in disgrace after he posted a drunken, racist video on social media. ‘I promise, the first Arab I see on the road, I’ll headbutt him,’ he said. Jaminet was handed a 34-week ban and a €30,000 (£25,000) fine and is unlikely to be seen again in the national team.
The new player declaration, which must be signed electronically by each player, states: ‘Each Member makes a firm commitment not to consume alcohol in the framework of gatherings of French teams, except under the strict conditions set by the staff.
‘Each Member is required to preserve the image of the FFR, its leaders and technical executives, and the French teams and not violate the privacy, honour or consideration of others. In this context, each Member prohibits any discriminatory, racist, xenophobic and, more generally, which would be denigrating, offensive and/or insulting towards a person or group of people.
French players will not be able to invite England into the changing room for a beer post match
The tradition has been a long-running one in rugby, but France have signed up for a booze ban
Fabien Galthie’s side have had to sign a player declaration which includes strict conditions on alcohol consumption and a zero-tolerance policy on discriminatory language
‘People outside the official delegation or the families of Members cannot be received in the accommodation site of a French team and in the lobby/hall type common rooms entrance or bar/restaurant.’
In light of last summer’s Mendoza scandal, strict rules were already put in place for the autumn series. The players were told to drink no more than two glasses of wine at the stadium function at their closing Test of the series.
Old school forwards coach, William Servat, was previously in charge of social functions and he has reportedly been told to ease off on the team’s ‘decompression sessions’ which have resulted in trouble.
Defence coach Shaun Edwards traditionally awards a bottle of expensive champagne to his player of the weekend but the players have now be instructed not to drink the prize until they return home.
Why the Springboks may play at Twickenham
Rugby Championship organisers are in talks to bring one of this year’s Tests to Twickenham.
South Africa are the team with the biggest pull in the UK and are expected to play at least one of their Southern Hemisphere fixtures in London later this year.
The Springboks are actively trying to grow their global brand, recently signing a long-term sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola.
South Africa are expected to play one of their Rugby Championship matches at Twickenham
Rugby 25 ratings divide opinion in the England camp
Questionable ratings on the upcoming Rugby 25 computer game have been the talk at England’s training camp.
The new PlayStation, Xbox and PC game will be released next week and will include both men and women’s teams.
Northampton winger Tommy Freeman revealed: ‘Fin [Smith] wasn’t very happy with his rating. I’m really happy with my rating – mentality 90, which I loved. I was 89-90 overall, there aren’t many 90s out there. I was joint with George Furbank. My kicking is better than Furbs which was nice to see.
‘Fin was annoyed with how bad his score was across the board. My guy is pretty good looking actually. Fraser Dingwall is absolutely massive, which is an odd one, but they look good.’
Fin Smith is claimed to be one of the stars debating his rating in the Rugby 25 computer game
Early favourite emerges to succeed departing Cheika
Graham Rowntree is the early favourite to take over from Michael Cheika as head coach of Leicester Tigers next season.
Cheika has decided to leave after just a few months in the role and the club are already looking for his replacement.
Glasgow coach Franco Smith is understood to be keen to remain in Scotland, while Felix Jones is not actively pursuing a head coach role.
Stuart Lancaster could emerge as a candidate but he could have his head turned by a new project in the Southern Hemisphere.
Graham Rowntree has emerged as the favourite to take over at Leicester Tigers next season
Michael Cheika has decided to leave after a few months at Leicester Tigers’ head coach
Media man’s unexpected role in Wales team photo
Eagle-eyed Wales fans would have spotted an unusual face in the squad’s team picture during the second series of Six Nations documentary on Netflix.
In episode two of the rugby documentary, the camera pans across the Welsh squad having their team picture taken ahead of the tournament.
Former communications officer Noah Hathaway is shown as a body stand-in for an absent player and his face was later photoshopped out.
