Foreign imports may wreck future of 'Les Bleus'

Maxime Medard: Young Talent...

Toulouse star Maxime Medard fears the influx of foreigners into the Top 14 will harm the future of French rugby. 

With the number of British players switching to ply their trade across the Channel next season rising week after week, Medard believes French clubs should revert their attention to the youngsters coming through rather than maintain their dependence on foreign mercenaries.

Medard, who was in action today in Toulouse's defeat against Leinster in the Heineken Cup semi-final, said: “I am quite worried about the future of French rugby with all these imported players in the Top 14.

“It’s good for the level of the Top 14 but I regret the fact that certain club are going a bit too far and do not invest enough in youngsters,” added the 24-year-old winger.

“Players like Jonny Wilkinson and Ian Balshaw are great for their club. Not only when they help them win on the pitch but also every day at training where youngsters can look up to them and see the little details that make them above the rest.

...Future of French rugby

“There are a lot of talented young players and they need to be given the time and opportunity to prove they can perform. It could be more beneficial for a club to do so rather than sign an older foreign player.

“What worries me is when an average player is preferred to a young French one full of potential. But I guess it is the economic pressure on clubs that dictates this kind of choices.

“Personally I have always been a fan of Ian Balshaw. He is a very classy fullback. He is quick and good under pressure. I am sure the young players from Biarritz improved a lot next to him.

“For me, the future of the clubs and therefore the national team will always be about the talented young players in the academies,” the young flyer added

Medard is the perfect example of the potential residing in the club academies. Born and raised in Toulouse, he made his professional debut as a teenager just after his 18^th birthday in November 2004 against Castres and his now playing in his seventh season for Les Rouges et Noirs. U21 World Champion in 2006, Medard has since become an uncontested starter on the left wing or at fullback for France.

“I have been very fortunate to make it in the club of my dreams and play for France. But I think it is down to your mental and the trust and confidence the club puts in you,” the young flyer said.

By playing away from their home countries, players are often not able to represent their country. There is a worry over the Channel to see a huge wave of incoming players after a World Cup year and the other way the year just before one which could impact on the general level of the Top 14.

“The choice players make for their career is down to them and I can’t judge them for that. But I can understand that a guy like Sonny Bill Williams decided to move to New Zealand to pursue his goal of playing for the All Blacks,” he added.

When asked if he could leave Toulouse for an experience abroad, he replied: “I have always expressed my wish to maybe, in a few years, play in London or in Sydney and experience the culture there. But first I need to improve my English.”