England forced to break Six Nations tradition after France match

Tuesday, 11 February 2025 at 18:24

byRugby Rucker

England’s rugby stars missed out on a long-standing Six Nations tradition after their thrilling 26-25 victory over France at Twickenham.

Find your local Greene King pub and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

But it wasn’t by choice—Les Bleus have implemented a strict alcohol ban.

The end of a Six Nations ritual

For years, no matter the result, France have invited their opponents into the dressing room for post-match beers—a rare moment of camaraderie after 80 minutes of battle.

However, that didn’t happen this time around.

The French Rugby Federation (FRF) introduced a booze ban on its squad, forcing every player to sign a seven-page, 17-rule document outlining strict policies on alcohol consumption and discriminatory language.

Why was the ban introduced?

The new regulations came in after last year’s tour of Argentina, where full-back Melvyn Jaminet landed himself in hot water.

Jaminet was hit with a 34-week ban and a £25,000 fine after posting racist content on social media—an incident that rocked French rugby.

While Jaminet later apologised, the FRF slammed him for "undermining the best interests of rugby", leading to a complete cultural reset in the French camp.

With their new rules in place, France won’t be offering beers to their opponents anytime soon.

The four main contenders to replace Warren Gatland as Wales boss

Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will step in as interim head coach for the remaining three Six Nations fixtures while continuing his commitments with Cardiff for their upcoming game against Connacht.

However, the decision has left many Welsh fans puzzled, as no long-term replacement has been confirmed. So, who is next in line to take on the challenge of reviving Welsh rugby?

Here are five leading candidates for the job.

1. Michael Cheika – Leicester Tigers Head Coach

Cheika is currently leading Leicester Tigers on a one-year deal, which he is not expected to extend beyond this season. That could open the door for Wales to swoop in for the experienced Australian.

With previous head coaching stints at Australia and Argentina, Cheika boasts significant international pedigree. Ironically, he masterminded Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Cheika is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Gatland. However, if Wales opt for him, they may need an interim coach to bridge the gap until the end of his Leicester tenure—a potential complication, particularly with Wales’ summer tour of Japan carrying major implications for World Cup seeding.

2. Simon Easterby – Ireland Head Coach (Interim)

Currently standing in for Andy Farrell as Ireland’s head coach while Farrell prepares for the British and Irish Lions tour, Easterby has been part of the Irish coaching setup since 2014. Before that, he gained experience coaching at the Scarlets.

Although this Six Nations marks his first stint as an international head coach, his familiarity with the Welsh game makes him a compelling candidate. The WRU will have the opportunity to directly assess his credentials throughout the tournament before making a move.

Easterby is joint-third favourite with bookmakers and has strong backing from sections of the Welsh fanbase.

3. Franco Smith – Glasgow Warriors Head Coach

Another frontrunner for the role, Smith is also joint-third in the bookmakers’ odds. While his international coaching experience doesn’t match Gatland’s, he previously served as Italy’s Head of High Performance—an appealing factor for a WRU likely to undertake a complete rebuild of Welsh rugby.

Smith has impressed with Glasgow Warriors, guiding them to second place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season. His ability to transform teams could boost his chances of securing the Wales job.

4. Joe Schmidt – Australia Head Coach

Schmidt is set to step down as Australia’s head coach after the Lions tour this summer, making him a prime candidate for Wales.

The former Ireland and New Zealand assistant coach oversaw Australia’s dominant win over Wales in the autumn but was notably complimentary of the Welsh squad’s effort and potential.

With a wealth of international experience, Schmidt is a proven figure at the highest level. If Wales are looking for a steady, battle-hardened leader, he could be the ideal choice.

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