France XV is not in the spotlight. This Tuesday, World Rugby revealed its typical team with just one Tricolor: winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. He was accompanied by six South Africans, the most widely represented country.
With his ten tries in eight games with the Blues in 2025, including eight in the Tournament won by France, Bielle-Biarrey was a big architect of France’s success this year. Saturday against Australia, he scored twice, the first try coming after getting the ball at his own feet, which was special. He was among four players selected as player of the year, but the award went to South African hooker Malcolm Marx.
The hooker is clearly in a typical team, alongside a 100% Springbok forward line with Ox Nche and Thomas Du Toit as pillars. Backrow Pieter-Steph Du Toit, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and winger Cheslin Kolbe complete the South African contingent, this year’s most successful nation globally with wins at the Rugby Championship and a triumphant European tour.
This year’s World Rugby typical XV:
Jordan – Kolbe, Jones, Ikitau, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Feinberg-Mngomezulu, (m) Roigard – Curry, Wilson, PS. Du Toit – Itoje, Beirne – T. Du Toit, Marx, Nche
All major countries, except Argentina, are represented, with Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne, England’s Maro Itoje and Tom Curry, New Zealand’s Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, Australia’s Harry Wilson and Len Ikitau, and Scotland’s Huw Jones.
