Thibaut Flament, the most English of Frenchmen, recounts his five years across the Channel

His French exposure in the last twelve months: 14 matches, only one defeat. A little more awesomeness with every trip. But, it is less known, the second line stamped by the State Toulouse owes its rise to… England, where, from the age of 18 to 23, he followed an accelerated training.

Summer 2015. Thibaut Flament has completed his bachelor’s degree in Brussels. He plays in Asup Waterloo. Far from high level. Opener or back. Odd, given his physique. He already measures 2 meters, but only shows 85 kg on the scale. This does not stop him from being driven by his ambition to become a professional rugby player.

Without sacrificing your course. After reflection, his choice fell on the English University of Loughborough, halfway between Leicester and Nottingham. “The best way to get ahead is while pursuing good studies. In France, there are good studies and good rugby, but it seemed to me complicated to seriously reconcile the two. In England it is more appropriate, without…