It's Rugby | Telling the story of rugby: news and stats

Rugby League World Cup: France crushed by Samoa (78-4)

France suffered a heavy defeat in their World Cup opener, beaten 78-4 by Samoa on Friday in Parramatta, in Sydney's suburbs. Trailing 34-4 at the break, they were outclassed by... Félix Lapoussière · 16 October 2026

Groizeleau: “My acceptance was very difficult” At 37, Aurélie Groizeleau is France's best professional rugby referee, in charge of men's Pro D2 matches and of top-level women's Tests. She swapped playing for the whistle after health problems ended her playing career at 19. Between France's Referee Days and Pink October, she looks back on early years marked by sexist remarks and on fifteen years of progress. Félix Lapoussière · 16 October 2026

Après la sirène Rémi Lamerat: “I get up in the morning and I love what I do” A former centre with Castres, Clermont and Union Bordeaux-Bègles, France international Rémi Lamerat started preparing for life after rugby early by turning to his other passion: wine. Now a winemaker and entrepreneur, he is building a project in his own image, combining work on the land, business spirit and conviviality. The career change let him switch jobs without giving up the values that drove him on the pitch. Cyprien Beytout · 14 October 2026

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Key stats

Du 8 au 11 octobre 20268-11 October

Aurillac52–33

BiarritzPro D2 · R6 / 30 · 85 pts in total Meilleur marqueur2triesHacjivah DayimaniStormers · URC · J3 / 18 Top points scorer, all competitions22ptsLuka MatkavaOyonnax · Pro D2 · J6 / 30

Biggest margin+54Lons Féminin vs Rennes FémininÉlite 2 (women's) · R1 / 18 Closest match0ptsUlster vs MunsterURC · R3 / 18 Highest scoring competition66triesUnited rugby championshipR3 / 18 Top kicker19ptsTomas AlbornozToulon · Top 14 · R6 / 26 Best run6WCanterburyNPC

Profiles & interviewsProfiles

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All Pro D2 news

Vannes take the Pro D2 trophy to La BauleRC Vannes, reigning Pro D2 champions, showed off their trophy at the Charlie's Corner, an Irish pub in La Baule. Hervé Rio, Martin Michel, Cyril Blanchard and Pierre Popelin spent more than two hours with several dozen guests.Félix Lapoussière · 14 October 2026

Pro D2 (Round 6) – Oyonnax and Provence unbeaten, Brive fall10 October 2026

Montauban end Brive’s unbeaten run despite 15 penalties9 October 2026

InjuriesDax without Paul Ausset until the spring1 October 2026

Pro D2 (R5): three unbeaten sides and an Oyonnax on the roll26 September 2026

Brive make it five from five, a first in their Pro D2 history25 September 2026

Videos & Podcasts

Grand formatWhat if La Réunion became French rugby’s next talent pool?

Grand formatHow is Stade Toulousain extending their sporting influence beyond the borders of the Top 14?Fil rougeAussie Froggy – Episode 1: “Nightmare, nightmare, nightmare” for World Cup tickets in Australia

Columns“Down Under” – Episode 2: From pulling pints at the bar to pushing in the scrum, Eliott has launched his New Zealand season

InterviewsPhenomenal speed, an Olympic dream… Meet Arthur Prevost, who has swapped bobsleigh for rugby

Investigations

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How the Haute-Vienne became a great development region… without managing to make its clubs winLeny-Huayna TIBLE · 30 June 2026

How is the Haute-Vienne, a land of rugby, losing its clubs?Leny-Huayna TIBLE · 23 June 2026

Is it serious, doctor (4/4) – Rugby, a patient in treatment: the diagnosis is yours to makeLaurent Depret · 22 May 2026

Is it serious, doctor? (3/4) – Rugby: the damage is no longer inevitableLaurent Depret · 22 April 2026

Is it serious, doctor (2/4) — Rugby, a patient getting treatmentLaurent Depret · 7 April 2026

Is it serious, doctor? (1/4) — A check-up on French rugby: the watchdogs, A2R (ex-DNACG)Laurent Depret · 23 March 2026