CHRIS HEWETT

THERE are more than a dozen towns and cities in France, from Beziers and Dax in the far south to Grenoble and Oyonnax in the east, who share something beyond a deeprooted passion for rugby.
Their clubs have all featured in one or other of the major European club tournaments. Seven have played in both. At the same time, none are currently competing in the top flight of their domestic game.
Some, like Bayonne, have mutated into yo-yo clubs, bouncing between the Top 14 and ProD2 so regularly that they might be playing their home games on trampolines.
Bourgoin, quite the force...