Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Jeremy Ward set to join France’s training squad but cannot play this autumn
France coach Fabien Galthié is expected to call up Jeremy Ward to a 42-player squad preparing for the Nations Championship.
Ward is a South African centre at Stade Français who has played in France since 2022.
He cannot play for France this autumn because he does not yet meet World Rugby’s eligibility rules.
He represented South Africa at under-20 level but has not played for its senior team.
Five years of residence could make him eligible in 2027, if he meets the other requirements.
The call-up is for training, not a promise of future selection, and could help Ward become familiar with the team ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Jeremy Ward is expected to join France’s 42-player training squad but cannot play in the autumn internationals.
The South African-born Stade Français centre is not yet eligible to represent France under World Rugby rules.
He has lived in France since 2022 and must meet the five-year residency requirement, subject to other eligibility criteria.
Ward is expected to train at Marcoussis as the French staff consider options ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
His inclusion could come at the expense of Bordeaux-Bègles centre Nicolas Depoortere, according to Blog RCT.
- Who
- Jeremy Ward, the South African-born Stade Français centre, is expected to join France’s training squad.
- What
- He is expected to train with the squad but cannot play in the autumn internationals because he is not yet eligible to represent France.
- When
- The squad list is due to be announced on 21 October 2026. Ward is ineligible for the autumn matches.
- Where
- The training camp is at Marcoussis, France.
- Why
- The call-up may help the staff assess centre options and prepare Ward for possible future selection.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ward arrived at Stade Français and began living in France.
Ward told RMC Sport he might consider representing France if an opportunity arose.
Fabien Galthié was due to announce a 42-player squad for the Championship of Nations, including Ward, according to Blog RCT.
France is scheduled to play Fiji, one of four autumn internationals Ward cannot play in.
France is scheduled to play South Africa, another autumn international Ward cannot play in.
France is scheduled to play Argentina, another autumn international Ward cannot play in.
- Squad size
- 42 players
- Club
- Stade Français
- Residence in France
- Since 2022
- Eligibility requirement
- Five years of residence, subject to other criteria
- Autumn match dates
- 7, 13 and 21 November 2026; a classification match is scheduled for the weekend of 28 November
- World Cup
- 2027 tournament in Australia, scheduled for 1 October to 13 November
3 sources
Après Jeremy Ward, deux autres surprises à prévoir dans la liste des Bleus pour le Championnat des nations avec le centre Tani Vili et le pilier Karl Sorin
Championnat des nations. Le Sud-Africain Jeremy Ward va être appelé avec le XV de France
Énorme surprise en équipe de France : Fabien Galthié convoque un Sud-Africain qui ne peut pas jouer, Depoortere écarté
What people are saying
I think it is a little difficult because I was part of the under-20 team, I am capped. And there are lots of centres in the France team (laughs), very, very good players. I won’t say that if I change sporting nationality, I will be in the team; that is not the case. But if an opportunity comes along, maybe.