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.placeholder image
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

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

Graham Bean
By Graham Bean

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.

Enjoyed a successful first year at Vannes, helping them win promotion back to the Top 14 by beating Aix in the Pro D2 final. The 35-year-old Scotland hooker made the move to Brittany last summer after 105 appearances in seven seasons with Edinburgh. It’s his second stint in France following a spell with Stade Niçois early in his career.

13. Dave Cherry

Enjoyed a successful first year at Vannes, helping them win promotion back to the Top 14 by beating Aix in the Pro D2 final. The 35-year-old Scotland hooker made the move to Brittany last summer after 105 appearances in seven seasons with Edinburgh. It’s his second stint in France following a spell with Stade Niçois early in his career. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Photo Sales
Scotland Under-20 international Brown is back at Vannes after spending last season with Rennes in the Nationale league, France’s third tier. Brown, 22, came through the academy at Edinburgh Rugby and made his debut for the club against Connacht in March 2022. He was released the following year and headed to France to join Vannes, captaining their espoirs (academy) side.

14. Rudi Brown

Scotland Under-20 international Brown is back at Vannes after spending last season with Rennes in the Nationale league, France’s third tier. Brown, 22, came through the academy at Edinburgh Rugby and made his debut for the club against Connacht in March 2022. He was released the following year and headed to France to join Vannes, captaining their espoirs (academy) side. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Photo Sales
Previous
4 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:Scottish RugbyAli PriceHamish WatsonBen WhiteStuart Hogg
Dare to be Honest
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice