In recent years, a few English internationals have settled down in France. Willis, Sinckler, Ludlam, etc. The big names from Her Majesty bring joy to French rugby and among them, David Ribbans is no exception. Vice-captain of RC Toulon, the English international (11 caps) is delighted in the Var.
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Integration, a key factor in French rugby
After a little over a year in the Top 14, the second row of South African origin doesn't see himself leaving. At least, that's what he asserted to RugbyPass in an article published this week. “With my family, we are about 20 minutes from Toulon, in a town called Carqueiranne. It's a very nice little town, a beach town. It's very busy during the summer, but things are calming down now. The tourists leave and I become a local. It's nice and quiet”, he confides about his Mediterranean life.
In addition, the former XV de la Rose player confided thathe does not intend to return to England. He elaborates on his past situation in England and speaks about his link with the selection:
In the Premiership I felt like I was on the fringes and I felt like I played a few good years of rugby for Northampton, but I never really got an opportunity. I wouldn't say that I gave up on my dream, but when I realized that I wasn't going to have an international career with 50 or 60 caps, it disappointed me. I remain convinced that I could have done it if the opportunity had presented itself, but that was not the case and there was good competition.[…] That’s why I’m not staying in England, I’m here in Toulon.”
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After seven years in the Premiership, the second row has quickly adapted to France. Even ifhe was afraid that the language barrier would make his integration difficult. In the end, everything went well and David Ribbans now seems satisfied and is pleasantly surprised by the mentality of the French within the RCT.
“In the heat of the moment, we realize that French is falling by the wayside. With enough swearing, shouting and gestures, you can make yourself understood in rugby. But here, it's fantastic. The integration between French people and foreigners is incredible. We spend a lot of time with them off the field. Maybe the fact that Toulon had a lot of foreigners in the past helped. It's an amazing group of people, there's a feeling of family and community”, confides the former England international.
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The Top 14 welcoming land
Obviously very satisfied with his experience in the Top 14, David Ribbans does not regret his choice of joining Toulon at all. “I don't regret having refused England to come here. You think about going to France next season and ultimately it's not always possible. An opportunity presented itself. I am very grateful to have grabbed it and extended my contract. I'm proud of it. I moved here and I don't see myself going back”, details the 2023 globalist.
In addition, the colossus evokes the pressure of the championship and the expectations of RC Toulon supporters. “Pressure? Of course, there is always pressure when you are in Toulon. The fans expect results, they expect the team to win”, he punctuates to evoke the fact that the RCT is trying to play the leading roles again. From now on, it remains to be seen whether David Ribbans will be able to realize his club's ambitions in the Top 14 and elsewhere.
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