French clubs circling to 'exploit' latest Welsh crisis

With Welsh clubs preparing for the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) amid uncertainty, French vultures are circling.

Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets will play the first block of the URC while fearing for their futures.

Former Wales back James Hook says it is "obvious that the French clubs will be looking to exploit that" uncertainty.

The Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) has already told the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) that its preferred plan to cut down to two clubs would "drive talent to leave Wales".

The upheaval means that plenty of players will watch French action with jealousy in the coming weeks and months, no doubt tempted to join the Welsh contingent.

There are currently nine Welsh players in France's top two tiers. That number could grow as clubs with deep pockets look to exploit another crisis.

The Top 14 now features Adam Beard at Montpellier, Racing 92's Will Rowlands, Gareth Anscombe in Bayonne and Carwyn Tuipulotu at Pau.

There are five more in Pro D2 with George North and Tomas Francis at Provence, Sam Davies at Grenoble, Owen Lane at Valence Romans and Tyler Morgan in Biarritz.

The WRU intends to announce its final decision for the future of the elite game by November, but has the damage already been done?

Welsh rugby was in a healthier state when Hook took up an opportunity at Perpignan in 2011.

Ospreys won the title in the seasons either side of the playmaker's exit and were semi-finalists in his final campaign in Swansea.

Nonetheless, the Wales international could not turn down a chance to join the Top 14.

"It was a good time to go and experience life in a different country and play in a different league," said Hook. "The atmosphere and passion for rugby was amazing."

The 81-times capped back played three seasons in France and then joined Gloucester before returning to the Ospreys to finish his career.

The WRU intends to make its final decision on the future of the elite game before the autumn series, but Hook believes talent is already being watched.

"With the state of Welsh rugby it's obvious that the French clubs will be looking to exploit that, and English clubs as well," said the 40-year-old.

"If there is an offer then players – and coaches – are going to seriously look at it because at the moment they are just not used to winning, whether that is at club level or internationally."

That Davies, who moved to France in 2023, will spent another season in Pro D2 still hurts.

The fly-half played through the pain in Grenoble's promotion play-off after an early blow from a dangerous clearout, in a match that ended in a last-gasp defeat to Perpignan.

The eight-times capped international is still on the comeback trail from a summer shoulder operation and is targeting a mid-November return.

The left-footer lived through his fair share of Welsh rugby farces and is now watching with sympathy.

"At the Ospreys I remember being sat in Paul James' bar in Neath when we were ready for a merger (with Scarlets)," Davies recalls.

"My phone has already been going and there's no doubt that more players will be interested. It's not just the money, it's the security.

"I'm good friends with players and have been asking them if they are okay because they just don't know what is going to happen.

"Some change seems inevitable and that's sometimes painful, but it's time to end these sagas."

The WRU's preferred option in its consultation option is a cut from four men's teams to two, which would mean fewer jobs.

Davies would urge anyone who gets a French opportunity to grasp it.

"I am super-happy that I moved," he said. "I needed to be part of a winning team and playing for a reason.

"I have got that at Grenoble and have experienced some incredible highs but also some of the worst emotions because it matters so much. That comes from playing for a community that really rallies behind the teams."

The likes of current Wales stars Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake and Aaron Wainwright are sure to be on the radar of French clubs.

However, opportunities are limited in France and there are plenty of nationalities looking to secure deals.

Former Dragons coach Barry Maddocks, who was a centre at Aberavon in his playing days, left for a job with Biarritz in 2021 and then moved on to Agen.

This season he is with ambitious Nissa Rugby in the Nationale, France's third tier, working with a squad in Nice that includes former Wales fly-half/centre Owen Williams.

Maddocks knows all about the quotas for 'Joueurs Issus des Filières de Formation' – French Top 14 sides must average 16 home-grown players in their matchday squads throughout a campaign.

"There are only so many non-JIFF slots," said Maddocks. "That makes it very, very difficult, and there is also the volume of players on the market.

"There is still an impact from the collapse of clubs in England and a lot of boys in Australia are looking for jobs.

"There is a big pool of players and it's a buyers' market – clubs can drive prices down if there are two or three people looking for a job."

Maddocks is another to sing the praises of the French rugby experience and does not believe that moves will be limited to next summer.

"Each division has been strong with passionate crowds and I've gained so much knowledge from different cultures and clubs," he said.

"I wouldn't rule out more targeted recruitment and, with all the upheaval in Wales, come clubs could probably try to get players who are under contract but nervy."

If the WRU's proposals lead to a fresh exodus of players, new Wales head coach Steve Tandy might have to get used to watching the Top 14 in addition to URC and Prem Rugby to assess his selection options.