Julia Grosz signed a permanent contract on September 1 with SEG-Fayat, a construction company based in Blagnac, France. A month later, she must take unpaid leave to join the French women's rugby team for a series of international matches. At just 24 years old, Grosz joined the French XV in September and earned starting positions in her first three selections, facing strong teams like New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. She is set to leave again for three new Tests against New Zealand, scheduled for October 17, 24, and 31. However, to represent France overseas, she will have to accept a reduction in her salary. Grosz is not under a federal contract but signed a permanent agreement with SEG-Fayat, where she works as a site manager. To participate in the French team's training and matches, she took unpaid leave, which she will extend during the tour. Her employer agreed to support her. “I never hid from them that I was working for this,” she told La Dépêche, a local newspaper. From a sports perspective, Grosz's career appears to be on an upward trajectory. She was called upon in a sector affected by several absences, and she did not simply fill in for others—she earned starting positions in three high-level international matches. Against Canada, her defensive contributions were especially notable. Her journey, however, goes beyond that of a typical international player. Last March, French international Morgane Bourgeois mentioned in Le Rugbynistère, a rugby publication, that most Elite 1 players combine top-level rugby with studies or employment. Grosz exemplifies this reality: preparing for an international tour while managing her absence in a construction company. The contrast becomes more evident as the French women's XV gains more exposure and media attention. The team played three home matches in September as part of the WXV Global Series, followed by the series of Tests in New Zealand. The schedule is expanding, but not all players who contribute to the team have the same professional conditions. Grosz's situation highlights a broader question for French rugby: how can international demands be increased without better securing the daily lives of those who meet them? At 24, she must balance a new permanent contract with an intense high-level schedule. On October 6, Julia Grosz will return to Marcoussis, her workplace. The next day, she will fly to Auckland. This illustrates how an international player can earn her place with the French team while, at the same time, having to give up part of her salary to fulfill her selection.