Pau’s Coughlan revelling in French adventure

If individual awards — Player of the Month, Man of the Match and the like — are an indication of the impact made by James Coughlan in his first season playing French rugby, then the boy has done well.

In fact, he has done very well, so much so that his contribution to Pau’s spectacular return to the top flight of French rugby, after almost a decade languishing in D2, has led to serious discussions about prolonging his current two-year deal with the club to which he is contracted until the end of next season.

Life is good for Coughlan and for the cash-rich club sponsored by giant petroleum company Total, which will back Pau head coach Simon Mannix’s attempts to strengthen his squad for the tough days ahead.