Rugby: Chabal, Castaignède, Sella, Flament… The prestigious XV of the French who played in England
Clermont player Anthony Belleau recently announced his signing for Northampton. Before him, many French players have tried their luck in England. Some of them have some very impressive names.
15. Thomas Castaignède (fullback, Saracens from 2000 to 2007)
He was one of the most brilliant French three-quarters of the 2000s. Nicknamed the "Mozart of Rugby" , he spent seven years in England, with Saracens, a club renowned for having welcomed many international stars such as South African François Pienaar. It was in 2000 that the native of Mont-de-Marsan (Landes) joined the "Sarries" before a serious injury - a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered with the French team - forced him to miss 18 months. Returning to form in 2002, he shone for several seasons before leaving the club in 2007 and ending his career. After his career, Castaignède remained in the City of London to work there as a consultant and then as a broker.
Mentions : Julien Laharrague (Sale); Matthieu Bourret (Northampton); Nicolas Le Roux (Worcester); Jean-Baptiste Aldigé (Harlequins).
14. David Bory (winger, Bath from 2005 to 2007)
Former winger David Bory also tried his hand at England, from 2005 to 2007, after 11 professional years at Clermont and then Castres. The French international (18 caps) was notably part of the finalist team of the European Challenge Cup in 2007 and was also a semi-finalist, again with Bath, in the HCup (now Champions Cup). He is now a business leader.
Mentions : Jacques Boussuge (Bath); Nicolas Sestaret (Plymouth, Exeter).
13. Philippe Sella (three-quarter center, Saracens from 1996 to 1998)
His portrait, name, and jerseys are still clearly visible in the corridors of StoneX Stadium (formerly Allianz Park), the Saracens' home ground. One of the greatest players in the history of the French XV – and incidentally the second-most capped player (111 caps) behind Fabien Pelous – made his mark on the history of the English club. The former Agen center didn't stay there long (two years), but notably won the FA Cup in 1998 and finished runner-up before retiring. It's worth noting that his son, Geoffrey , also played for Saracens in 2013.
Mentions : Raphaël Saint-André (Gloucester); Maxime Mermoz (Leicester, Newcastle); David Dantiacq (Northampton).
12. Thomas Lombard (three-quarter center, Worcester from 2004 to 2007)
At the time, the Worcester club had a competitive team. As proof, the Warriors had secured the services of French international center Thomas Lombard (12 caps), now general manager of Stade Français. After seven years in the capital, he finally joined Worcester to everyone's surprise for three seasons, and notably played in a European Challenge Cup final in 2008. After his English adventure, Lombard ended his career with Racing 92 (2007-2008).
11. Philippe Saint-André (winger, Gloucester from 1997 to 2000)
He, too, quickly won the hearts of English fans. The "Pig" attracted immense interest when he signed for Gloucester in 2007. In fact, in his first match against Bristol, he scored two tries. Surprisingly, in February 1999, he became the club's head coach, alongside his playing days, until 2000. He then retired to devote himself fully to coaching until his dismissal in 2002. Saint-André also spent four years as coach of Sale Sharks between 2005 and 2009, becoming English champions in 2006. The former winger was voted the best Premiership coach.
Also read: Philippe Saint-André: “Refereeing has never been so good in world and French rugby”
10. Thierry Lacroix (fly-half, Harlequins from 1997 to 1999, then Saracens from 1999 to 2000)
Thierry Lacroix has never been afraid of adventure. In 2021, he signed with the only rugby club... in Andorra. The former fly-half trained in Saint-Paul-lès-Dax and then in Dax (Landes) joined the Natal Sharks in South Africa alongside Olivier Roumat before joining England and Harlequins in 1997, where Laurent Bénezech and Laurent Cabannes played. Lacroix shone for two seasons before joining another English club, Saracens, in 1999. In one season, Lacroix scored 280 points.
Mentions : Daniel Larrechea (Sale); Alain Penaud (Saracens); Ludovic Mercier (Gloucester).
9. Dimitri Yachvili (scrum-half, Gloucester from 2001 to 2002)
We are of course familiar with Dimitri Yachvili from Biarritz Olympique, where the scrum-half spent 12 seasons and scored over 3,000 points. But, before the Basque Country, during the 2001-2002 season, and at just 21 years old, the former international (61 caps) also played for Gloucester. The outcome was positive, as his only season across the Channel was crowned with an English league title. Quickly noticed for his kicking game and maturity, he would join France and Biarritz for the rest of his long and distinguished career.
Mentions : Julien Dupuy, David Mélé, Christophe Laussucq, Luix Roussarie (Leicester); Valentin Courrent (Sale).
8. Sébastien Chabal (third-row, Sale from 2004 to 2009)
Chabal is remembered at Bourgoin, Lyon, and Racing 92. The bearded giant, however, left his mark on English rugby with his five seasons with Sale, recruited by a certain Philippe Saint-André, then the club's coach. It was the latter who put him back in the center flanker position. His aggressiveness and powerful charges forged his reputation. Chabal contributed to the European Challenge Cup victory in 2005, the English championship title in 2006, alongside Frenchmen Lionel Faure and Sébastien Bruno, and the Sharks' good results in the HCup. He then joined Racing 92 in 2009, but Sale fans have fond memories of him. As a reminder, it was the Anglo-Saxons who nicknamed him "Caveman."
Mentions : Louis Picamoles, Christian Labit (Northampton); Thierry Devergie (Bristol).
Also read Rugby: "I don't remember a single second of a match I played," reveals Sébastien Chabal
7. Olivier Magne (third-row wing, London Irish from 2005 to 2007)
Finishing his career in England is ultimately the right move... Like others before him, Olivier Magne came full circle with London Irish in 2007 after two seasons at the club. The French third-row player was also a semi-finalist in the 2006 English championship. "The London Irish club is truly unique, it has marked my career," he confided to the newspaper La Montagne .
Mentions : Laurent Cabannes (Harlequins, Richmond).
6. Serge Betsen (third-row, London Wasps from 2008 to 2012)
In 2008, "the grim reaper" announced his international retirement and the end of his career at Biarritz Olympique. The French international (63 caps) ultimately decided to finish his career in England, with London Wasps. The flanker remained at the club until 2012 before retiring. After his career, he created the "Serge Betsen Rugby" academy and even coached the London Scottish from 2012 to 2014. Having fallen in love with London, he settled there for a few years.
5. Abdelatif Benazzi (second or third-row center, Saracens from 2001 to 2003)
The former second-row or flanker of the French national team (78 caps) also ended his career at Saracens in 2003. Benazzi stayed there for two seasons, under the guidance of former Springbok François Pienaar, then coach of the English club. He thus joins the long line of foreign stars who have played for the "Sarries" : Sella, Penaud, Castaignède, Ibanez, and Australian stars Horan and Lynagh.
Mentions: Romain Magellan (Saracens); Nicolas Spanghero (Harlequins); Pierre Caillet (Gloucester, Sale); Olivier Brouzet, David Gérard (Northampton).
4. Thibaud Flament (second row, London Wasps from 2019 to 2020)
After a stint in Argentina, the Toulouse native joined Loughborough Students RUFC as part of his studies. He was quickly spotted by London Wasps in 2019 and made his first Premiership appearances. At the end of his season, manager Pierre-Henry Broncan contacted him and put him in touch with the Toulouse staff. As we know, the rest is history...
3. Patrice Collazo (right pillar, Gloucester from 2001 to 2003 then from 2005 to 2008)
The current Racing 92 coach has fond memories of his time in England, playing for Gloucester. " I'm quite happy and proud to have been able to play for a club like that and experience emotions like that there ," he said at a press conference a few years ago. After a spell from 2001 to 2003, the former prop returned to the club in 2005 after ending his spell in Toulouse. With the "Cherry and Whites," Collazo notably won the Challenge Cup in 2006 against Olivier Magne's London Irish.
Mentions: Pierre Capdevielle (Gloucester); Benoît Bourrust (Dirty); Olivier Sourgens (Worcester); Frank Montanella (London Welsh, Newcastle); Arthur Joly (London Welsh); Alessio Galasso, Victor Delmas (Bath).
2. Raphaël Ibanez (hooker, Saracens from 2003 to 2005 then London Wasps from 2005 to 2009)
Before the 2003 World Cup, the native of Dax (Landes) could have chosen Gloucester. He ultimately preferred Saracens for two years, having played 25 matches under his belt. Lacking playing time and confidence, he then settled down at Wasps, starting in 2005. The beginning of a long love story... In 2007, he won the HCup against Leicester, notably scoring a try in the final. In 2008, he became captain of his team, leading them to the English championship title.
Mentions: Olivier Azam, Serge Simon (Gloucester); Sébastien Bruno (Sale); Benjamin Kayser (Leicester); Christopher Tolofua (Saracens).
1. Christian Califano (left pillar, Saracens from 2002 to 2003 then Gloucester from 2006 to 2008)
The former Stade Toulousain and French XV prop (72 caps) is also a fan of exotic destinations. For two years, the Toulon native played for the Auckland Blues in New Zealand. Before signing for Saracens during the 2002-2003 season. He was notably the first Frenchman to play in the Super 12 (now Super Rugby Pacific). Califano then signed for Agen and then finished his career with Gloucester for two years, playing 35 matches. "I'm leaving this great club that is Gloucester. I was lucky enough to belong to three great clubs during my career, Toulouse, Auckland and Gloucester. Good for me. I'm going to close the door with the best possible state of mind, nothing but happiness and good memories in my head," the left prop announced to L'Équipe TV at the end of his season with Gloucester.
Mentions : Franck Tournaire, Jérôme Schuster (Leicester); Jérémy Becasseau (Worcester); Sami Mavinga (Newcastle, Ealing Trailfinders); Lionel Faure (Sale).
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