The XV of France is about to turn a page in its history. In the summer of 2026, he will therefore play his first games in the Pacific as part of the brand new Nations League, an international competition that rebatted world rugby cards. But with which players?
The summer tour in New Zealand recently ended without surprise but not smooth for the Blues. In Dunedin, Wellington and then Hamilton, a deeply altered French team could not avoid three defeats against all -blacks weathered of most of their best players. An expected setback, which also marked the end of an era: that of the traditional tours of July, replaced next summer by a new format of global competition.
The League of Nations, organized every two years, will bring together twelve of the best selections on the planet. Six north nations (France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy) and six of the “South” (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Fiji and Japan). The goal displayed: to clarify the international calendar in the eyes of the general public, to offer more high -level matches, to increase global income or even save from bankruptcy several federations in chronic difficulty. According to our information, the XV of France by Fabien Galkié will therefore launch its campaign on the Pacific roads: three meetings are planned, first in New Zealand, then in Australia and finally in Japan.
Florian Grill: “A reflection to be conducted with the League”
And unlike certain rumors, no development is envisaged to lighten the Blues program, as confirmed by Florian Grill, President of the FFR: “I read that we tried to negotiate with Japan to play this match in Oceania and avoid an additional trip. This is false. In order, we will therefore have to play New Zealand, Australia and Japan. However, the model of this League of Nations must be redesigned.” Because behind the challenges of competitiveness, another central question arises: that of players management. Enchanting Top 14, Champions Cup, 6 Nations Tournament and League of Nations will be obviously difficult for them, not to say completely dangerous. “A French international is preparing to play four competitions next year in the year, continues the federal boss. So there is a whole reflection to be made with the National Rugby League to set up a more annualized game planning. The French team is no longer twenty-five individuals; It is around forty players and concerning them, we must think of a strategy of use that respects their health and allows them to play all the front competitions. This will require new discussions with the LNR and Provale, because the League of Nations is a real competition in which France will not want to do figuration. “
The question of players’ releases by clubs is therefore central. During the previous tour, Fabien Galkié had to deal with a private group of most of the winners of the last 6 nations tournament. A dealership had allowed in extremis to five finalists to join the selection along the way but what will be in 2026? Will the coach be able to embark a “premium” team in the summer or will he have to build with the available forces again? If we believe the president of the FFR, nothing has yet been decided. But a certainty remains: this new League of Nations upsets the balances, both sporting and economic. For the FFR and the clubs, which consider themselves to have already bled white for the well-being of the XV of France, it is already a question of thinking of the rugby of tomorrow.