Laurent Frayssinous and Trent Robinson to remain in charge of France
France have confirmed that new St Helens assistant coach Laurent Frayssinous will remain in charge of the national team.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson will also stay on as Director of Rugby, until at least the end of this year’s European Championship.
The pair took charge in February 2021 and led France at the recent World Cup, where they finished third in England’s group.
They have failed to make the knock out stages at the last two World Cups, though they are guaranteed their berth at the 2025 World Cup anyway as the host nation.
Laurent Frayssinous said: “I am delighted to continue the adventure with the XIII of France and I would like to thank our president Luc Lacoste, the steering committee as well as Gilles Dumas for the confidence they place in me for this coach position.
“The staff as a whole will continue to work hard to allow the French team to rise to the world rank with the focus on the World Cup which will take place with us. We are going to start a new cycle with the same determination and the same values that characterise the France group.”
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France’s calendar in 2023
France will take on England at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in April.
Due to the ongoing dispute between the NRL and its players, the remainder of the international calendar remains unconfirmed.
England are expected to have a home series against Tonga, which would then see England Knights contend the European Championship at the end of the year.
France will be joined by Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Serbia, Spain and Wales and the English representative, split in to two groups of four.
The highest placed team in each group, other than England and France, will earn qualification to the 2025 World Cup.
President back Laurent Frayssinous to help grow the game in France
Meanwhile, France have confirmed the departure of David Collado as team manager.
Chairman Luc Lacoste said: “We are proud to continue with Laurent and to be able to sustainably improve our French teams, with the aim of seeing good progress at the next European Championship.
“I would like to thank David for his involvement over the past two years. I have devoted a large part of my energy, in this year 2022, to doing everything possible to continue to convince national and international authorities in particular, to make France the country of renewal of (rugby league).
“I believe in Laurent, who is clearly part of this philosophy. And alongside Trent, the hard work will eventually pay off.”
Frayssinous is currently in Australia with St Helens, who are due to play Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge later this month.
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