Scottish rugby’s new Auld Alliance: the 14 Scots in the French Top 14

Chief Rugby Writer

Published 2nd Sep 2026, 12:00 BST

Rule changes and an influx of Scots for a new campaign across the Channel

A new French rugby season kicks off on Saturday with a strong Scottish presence. Fourteen players from Scotland look set to be involved in the Top 14 as Toulouse look to take the title for an unprecedented fifth season in a row.

Blair Kinghorn has helped them win the last three and the Scotland full-back will be joined in the league this season by some more of his international team-mates, with Huw Jones and Adam Hastings both leaving Glasgow Warriors to join Toulon and Montpellier respectively.

Former Edinburgh players Ben Healy and Hamish Watson are also crossing the Channel while Dave Cherry, an ex-team-mate of theirs in the capital, will play in the top flight after helping Vannes win promotion.

There are two significant rule changes for the new French rugby season. Goal-kickers will now have only 45 seconds rather than 60 and the number of substitutions is being reduced from 12 to eight.

Flourishing in France where he is about to embark on his fourth season with Toulon. Helped them reach the Champions Cup semis last term, beating Glasgow in the quarters. But their league form tailed off, finishing ninth. They will play in the second-tier Challenge Cup this season. White, 28, has been joined at the club by his Scotland team-mate Jones.

1. Ben White

Flourishing in France where he is about to embark on his fourth season with Toulon. Helped them reach the Champions Cup semis last term, beating Glasgow in the quarters. But their league form tailed off, finishing ninth. They will play in the second-tier Challenge Cup this season. White, 28, has been joined at the club by his Scotland team-mate Jones. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Like Healy, Watson left Edinburgh in mid-season to go on loan in England. The flanker joined Leicester in what was a poignant move given he had been in the Tigers academy in his youth. At 34, he is now moving to the Top 14 having signed for Castres on a one-year deal.

2. Hamish Watson

Like Healy, Watson left Edinburgh in mid-season to go on loan in England. The flanker joined Leicester in what was a poignant move given he had been in the Tigers academy in his youth. At 34, he is now moving to the Top 14 having signed for Castres on a one-year deal. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Enjoyed a highly successful first season in French rugby as he helped revive Montpellier who won the European Challenge Cup and reached the Top 14 final. Price, who joined the club from Edinburgh last summer, was first-choice scrum-half, starting in 22 of the 27 matches he played.

3. Ali Price

Enjoyed a highly successful first season in French rugby as he helped revive Montpellier who won the European Challenge Cup and reached the Top 14 final. Price, who joined the club from Edinburgh last summer, was first-choice scrum-half, starting in 22 of the 27 matches he played. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

A controversial signing for Stade Francais following his conviction in 2023 for abusing his girlfriend. Some supporters of the Paris club voiced their opposition to his arrival. He was sacked by Glasgow Warriors after pleading guilty to behaviour that was "aggressive" and "controlling". Capped three times by Scotland, he switched allegiance to the United States and made his Test debut for them last year.

4. Rufus McLean

A controversial signing for Stade Francais following his conviction in 2023 for abusing his girlfriend. Some supporters of the Paris club voiced their opposition to his arrival. He was sacked by Glasgow Warriors after pleading guilty to behaviour that was "aggressive" and "controlling". Capped three times by Scotland, he switched allegiance to the United States and made his Test debut for them last year. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Scottish Rugby Ali Price Hamish Watson Ben White Stuart Hogg