French connection

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• Harlequins

Harlequins have taken foreign exchange to a new level after linking up with French rugby league side Sporting Olympique Avignon.

The London club signed an agreement with their French counterparts to bring their young hopefuls over to aid with their development, and the initiative is beginning to bear fruit, with 18-year-old Tony Gigot making a positive impact at the Stoop.

The youngster is still only settling into London life, but with his English improving by the day he told Boots 'N' All that he believes this step will improve his chances of playing in Super League.

"It is very different over here compared to France," said Gigot, who has been performing well in the reserve side. "It can be difficult but I am only starting out here. It will get easier in time.

"I like playing with Harlequins. I train with the first team so it is a great experience. The English game is very hard in the contact, which is something I enjoy. I want to play in Super League and moving to England gives me a better chance of that happening."

Phil Jones, who is the head of youth development at Quins, has been delighted with Gigot's progress, and has since been contacted by players from other French clubs looking for a similar chance.

"We've received emails from players at other French clubs wondering if that opportunity is available to them," said Jones. "We've got seven million people in the capital to look at; now we've part of France as well.

"You never like to big up a player too much but he (Gigot) got picked in the last 32 for the French squad this year and has played in the U18s for the last two years. He's obviously a talented player. We brought him across for a month last year, and now he's here for the rest of this season. We think he's got talent and want to push him on further."

The cross-channel idea is the brainchild of Jeff Jouffret, Avignon's general manager, who eyed the fact that Harlequins would have a smaller catchment area to operate in. He has been delighted with how the French players are developing from their stints in England, and hopes that in the future there could possibly be a few players heading in the other direction.

"We've always thought what else could we do apart from playing," said Joffret. "It's something different and is good for both the club and the players. We can establish links and maybe get some British players playing for us in the future. Those links will be good for both clubs.

"The big point was to make sure that both parties were benefitting from this initiative. Harlequins probably wouldn't have as strong a base of junior players to pick from compared to other clubs, so we're both happy with how things are going."