The French Rugby Union (FFR) has announced a new new high performance pathway system called Génération Bleues. It comprises four groupings
They are termed:
Générations bleues, France Jeunes (up to 23)
Générations bleues, Élite Jeunes (age-range 16-18)
Générations bleues, Académie Pôles Espoirs (age-range 16-18)
Générations bleues, Centre de suivi (age 15)
The aim is to regularise the national systems, to enable administrators to follow the advance of all players of promise, male and female, from the age of 15 to junior internationals. Conversely, young players can see a clear path ahead.
A first event under this new concept runs in Fréjus on the Mediterranean coast from 23 February to 6 March. It involves 100 players in the third category listed above.
This is yet another initiative that shows France’s determination to reach the pinnacle of world rugby.
