Robin Copeland: French have changed their views on Europe

With three teams in this weekend’s Champions Cup semi-finals and French teams taking Europe more seriously, Copeland reckons this is a pivotal few days for his adopted country.

Rugby player, Robin Copeland, pictured following the launch of the #TheBigRugbyRun 2021. The run will take place virtually on May 22nd, 2021, with funds raised going toward initiatives run by Tackle Your Feelings, a mental health and well-being programme run by Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich Ireland. Picture: Dan Sheridan

Former Irish international Robin Copeland, who now plays with Soyaux-Angoulême in Pro D2, said this weekend will determine how far French teams have come in terms of being a force in European rugby again.

It’s six years since a French team won the Champions Cup, when Toulon completed a three in a row and prior to that, only Toulouse, albeit with four wins, and Brive are the only Top 14 sides to lift Europe’s biggest prize.