RC Vannes makes European debut

Le RC Vannes is set to make its European debut on Sunday, October 18, when it faces Harlequins at the Stoop Stadium in London. The match will be the first of the 2026-2027 European campaign for the French club.

Lenaïg Corson’s rugby journey

Lenaïg Corson, a former French international and second-row player, has a personal connection to the Harlequins. She played for the club between 2022 and 2023 after retiring from the French national team in 2021 and moving to England.

Corson’s experience with Harlequins

According to Ouest-France, Corson described her time with Harlequins as unforgettable. The club, which has won the men’s Challenge Cup three times and the women’s championship in 2021, treated girls and boys equally and invested in women’s rugby.

English rugby’s professional growth

Three years ago, Corson praised the English women’s rugby league, calling it one of the best in the world. She noted that the English league had a staff of 12 people, unlike the French setup. This professional structure attracted her to move to England in 2022.

French rugby’s amateur status

In France, the Élite 1 is the top women’s rugby league but remains largely amateur. Some players are paid, but the salaries are often too low to live on. As a result, many French players move to England, where the first division is the most professional in the world.

English league’s financial development

The English women’s rugby league began its professional journey in 2016 with a significant investment. The RFU focused on partnerships to sustain the competition. For the 2026-2027 season, the Chinese automobile manufacturer Jaecoo has acquired the naming rights for the league, which has grown stronger in recent years despite early financial challenges.