French rugby: James Coughlan looks to lift Biarritz from the doldrums

In France's Top 14, Ronan O'Gara has also inked a deal to bring Racing's Nolann Le Garrec to La Rochelle.

BIENVENUE: Former Munster No. 8 James Coughlan is the director of rugby at French outfit Biarritz. Pic credit: Biarritz.

FRANCE'S ProD2 gets under way at the end of August, followed by the Top 14 on the first weekend of September – and there’s plenty to discuss, from club buyouts to player transfers, as the domestic rugby season soap opera in France resumes.

One ProD2 club, Biarritz, will kick off a first campaign under new ownership, after a €1 fire sale in April brought an end to a turbulent era at Parc des Sports d’Aguilera.