France coach: We want a busy international calendar

France coach Laurent Frayssinous says they are keen to play more games on a regular basis in the run up to the 2025 World Cup on home soil.

It was confirmed less than a fortnight ago that Frayssinous will remain in charge of the French 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.

France have a double-header against England in April, while the European Championship will go ahead at the end of the year.

IMG’s recommendation that England should be playing France on a regular occasion is music to Frayssinous’ ears.

“We want a busy international calendar and some good opposition,” Frayssinous told Love Rugby League.

“You don’t want 80-0 so that’s why we want to play these games so the French improve year after year.

“We played them in Perpignan (2021), we lost 30-10. We played them during the World Cup so I think we are on the right track. Hopefully we’ll take a bigger step in the right direction next April.”

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Laurent Frayssinous delighted to keep Trent Robinson on board

Frayssinous, who is now part of the St Helens coaching staff, caught up with Robinson for a coffee whilst in Australia last week.

The pair have always been good friends, and with Robinson a fluent French speaker, they always communicate to each other in French.

“I worked with Trent when I was at Catalans so we’ve always had a great relationship together,” Frayssinous said.

“Working with him again during the World Cup was amazing. He is a great coach, he’s a great man and all of us coaching staff learn from him everyday. I’m really keen to keep on working with him.

“Regarding the France team, I’m really pleased to keep on building on what we did at the World Cup.

“The end game will be at the 2025 World Cup so we’ve got more than two years to prepare. We’ll test some players during these two years and that’s what we’ll do against England in April and at the European Championship at the end of the year.

“We know we’ll prepare against some lower opposition but at the end of the day the France team want to win some big games. That’s what we’ll work towards in the next few years.”

The European Championship will have eight participating nations – France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Spain and Serbia. Dates, venues and fixtures are yet to be confirmed.

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