The inside line on French rugby - Contact Zone Media

The inside line on French rugby

Contact Zone Media is a boutique editorial consultancy providing high-quality sports and news reporting and editing, feature content, interviews, and research services for newspapers, magazines, digital publishers, broadcasters, governing bodies and commercial organisations looking for expert insight into French rugby and beyond.

My wife and I are atheists, but our daughter wants to be baptised Catholic

My wife and I are atheists, but our daughter wants to be baptised Catholic

For decades, god and religion have played no part in my life. I was baptised as a baby, but didn't make it as far as first communion.

One nation and its gods | James Harrington

One nation and its gods | James Harrington

AMID April's protests against the government's attempts to reform employment laws - another work place dispute quietly raged that had, at its core, one very French value.

French rugby owes female stars more than €1,600/month

French rugby owes female stars more than €1,600/month

The Netherlands was the first country to award its women's sevens rugby players pro contracts in 2011. Since then, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, USA, Russia, Spain and England have followed suit in the shortened form of game.

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The best 25 players at Rugby World Cup 2019

The best 25 players at Rugby World Cup 2019

Four years ago, for a third time -- and the second in a row -- one rugby nation proved it was head and shoulders above its rivals. Again.

Kockott’s final French chapter

Kockott’s final French chapter

Former Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott hopes to finish his career in France with an unforgettable flourish, writes JAMES HARRINGTON in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

One year after his son died playing rugby, a father’s fight goes on

One year after his son died playing rugby, a father’s fight goes on

PHILIPPE CHAUVIN AND Caroline, his wife, were in the latter stages of planning for the festive season, shopping for a Christmas tree for their family home and their three boys, Antoine, Nicolas and Thomas.

Dan Carter leaves French rugby “in a better place” as Japan challenge begins

Dan Carter leaves French rugby “in a better place” as Japan challenge begins

There is a pressure, spoken and unspoken, for All Blacks to "leave the shirt in a better place". It is a maxim that compels New Zealand's rugby players towards continual improvement of themselves and others, be that at international or club level.

Belief, commitment and confidence: How South Africa won Rugby World Cup 2023

Belief, commitment and confidence: How South Africa won Rugby World Cup 2023

“As a Springbok, you always believe you are going to win,” centre Jessie Kriel said, less than an hour after South Africa beat New Zealand 12-11 at Stade de France to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time.

Stars who shone in round one of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup

Stars who shone in round one of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup

Eight players who caught the eye as the all-new Nations Championship and Nations Cup competitions kicked off

Game-changers of round two in the Nations Championship and Nations Cup

Game-changers of round two in the Nations Championship and Nations Cup

The opening weekend set a very high bar, but there was no let-up in performances in the second round of the Nations Championship and Nations Cup competitions.

France’s power dynamic between Jacques Brunel and Fabien Galthie examined

France’s power dynamic between Jacques Brunel and Fabien Galthie examined

Something jarred about the recent confirmation that Fabien Galthie – already unveiled as successor to Jacques Brunel as head coach of France – will join Les Bleus‘ coaching set-up for the Rugby World Cup.

Fiji move to brink of quarter-finals with tense win over Georgia

Fiji move to brink of quarter-finals with tense win over Georgia

Two second-half tries spared an uncharacteristically nervy Fiji’s blushes as they came from behind to beat Georgia 17-12. It put them on the brink of qualification for the quarter-finals – but also allowed Eddie Jones to breathe again.

GPS – ‘why are rugby players wearing a sports bra?’

GPS – ‘why are rugby players wearing a sports bra?’

“What’s that rectangular lump on the back of professional rugby players’ shirts?” a relative newcomer to the game may ask.

Explained: What is rugby’s TMO bunker?

Explained: What is rugby’s TMO bunker?

The effectiveness of the TMO bunker in rugby was called into question after England’s Owen Farrell had his red card for a dangerous tackle on Taine Basham rescinded.

When a try is not a try – rugby’s laws on grounding the ball explained

When a try is not a try – rugby’s laws on grounding the ball explained

We’ve all done it. We’ve all pointed at the TV and insisted that there – just there – is visual proof that a player on our team was first to get hands on the ball in the in-goal area and, therefore, a try was scored.

How having a referee as a coach can transform a team’s fortunes

How having a referee as a coach can transform a team’s fortunes

What wins titles in rugby? Attack? Defence? The best players? The fittest squad? All of the above? Something else?

Explained: Why a rugby ball is that shape?

Explained: Why a rugby ball is that shape?

The shape of the modern rugby ball that fans know and love – except when the bounce goes against our team – is a story of accident over design dating back two centuries to the fabled origins of the game.

“I thought the ground itself was shaking” – What awaits Ireland in Marseille

“I thought the ground itself was shaking” – What awaits Ireland in Marseille

This summer’s Olympic Games in Paris has put France’s usual Six Nations home, the 80,000-capacity Stade de France, out of commission for this year’s tournament.

Contact Zone Media’s founder James Harrington has built a reputation as one of the leading English-language journalists covering French rugby.

Having lived in France since 2009, he is perfectly placed to offer unique expert insight and perspective on the Top 14 and ProD2, Elite 1, European competitions and international rugby, for traditional and digital media, providing breaking news and long-form features, match previews and reports, interviews, opinion pieces and broadcast research.

An all-round journalist and content specialist, he also provides general news and features, and production journalism services.

Clients include national and regional newspapers, websites, specialist publications, governing bodies, and traditional and digital broadcasters.

How I can help

Rugby Journalism

Match reports, features, interviews, news and opinion pieces and long-form editorial, covering every aspect of rugby in France.

General News & Features

France-based professional freelance English-language journalist for digital and traditional organisations, covering news and sports reporting, features, op-eds and interviews.

Editorial & Content

Digital and traditional copy-editing services, proofreading, and professional copywriting for business, websites, newspapers and magazines

Podcasts, Radio & TV

Expert French rugby analysis, including pre-match research, commentary assistance, and expert insight for podcasts, radio and television.

Broadcast Research

Comprehensive analysis, briefing documents and background information for television, radio and podcast productions.

Need Expert French Rugby Coverage?

Whether you’re looking for breaking news, exclusive editorial content, broadcast research, live reporting or expert analysis, Contact Zone Media provides trusted journalism and genuine insight into French rugby.