Lee Monde, our travel-weary world rugby correspondent, is back with his latest look at those French players who are plying their trade away from home. He’s once again trawled the playing rosters of clubs the world over and reports back with his findings...

Nicolas Sestaret (Exeter)
This 28-year-old French U21 cap started out as a fresh-faced 18-year-old for Toulouse, for whom he scored 2 tries in 4 appearances in his debut season. He then had spells with Pau and Dax before fulfilling a lifelong ambition to join second tier outfit Plymouth. Three seasons at the quaint sounding Brickfields Stadium whizzed by, before he moved to Exeter. Two seasons toiling away in the same league were rewarded in the summer with promotion to the Aviva Premiership. His efforts on the wing and in the centre have helped the Sandy Lane outfit make a promising start to the new season.

Luix Roussarie (Nottingham)
Despite some stiff competition, 18-year-old Luix is probably the least heralded player in this list. The ex-Peyrehorade scrum half, who hails from Biarritz, has also represented the French U18s. Despite this, he finds himself toiling away in the second tier of English rugby. Not only that, he’s also available to sponsor for just £75. Blimey, some of Toulon’s players wipe their arses with euro notes of bigger denominations.

Jacques Boussuge (Bath)
During his career, this nippy 25-year-old French U21 and Sevens international has been equally at home on the left and right wing, much like Tony Blair. He began with Paris Université Club, before spending five unproductive seasons with Montpellier, where he made the miserly total of just 21 starts. He’s penned a one-year deal at the Recreation Ground, but has struggled to make an impact having made only two appearances, both in the sub-standard LV Cup.

Julien Laharrague (Aironi)
The brother of USAP outside half Nicolas, Julien Laharrague is the 32-year-old full back currently playing for Aironi. The 12-times capped French international is a rugby gypsy, having played for Beziers (two spells), Agen, Dax, Brive, USAP, Sale and Montauban before moving to Italy in the summer. In total he’s made 185 appearances in all competitions, although his experience will be badly needed by the Magners League new boys, who are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table without a win to their name.

Serge Betsen (Wasps)
The vastly experienced 36-year-old, 63-cap French flanker joined Wasps from Biarritz in 2008 at the ripe old age of 34, after 13 seasons of sterling service at the Parc des Sports d’Aguilera. He’s gone past the autumn of his career and is limping towards winter, yet he’s still been a regular fixture for the first team.  This could well be his final season. Time will tell if he’ll return to l’Ovalie or not.

Olivier Azam (Gloucester)
The 35-year-old hooker began his career with hometown club Tarbes (ho ho!), before joining Gloucester in 2000. After three seasons he returned to France to play for Montferrand. One season in the Massif Central was enough though, and he returned to Kingsholm in July 2004. He’s been there ever since and has made more than 200 appearances. As well as being the proud owner of ten French caps, he also owns a restaurant in Cheltenham. Nipping down to Asda for some onions hasn’t got in the way of playing quite yet though, as he’s made 6 starts from 11 appearances this season.

Ludovic Mercier (Aironi)
The 34-year-old former French international outside half has done the rounds, playing for Beziers, Aurillac, Gloucester, Grenoble, Pau, Petrarca and latterly, new Italian Magners League outfit Aironi. His first season at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella has been tough. The new boys have endured a horrendous start to the season in what has been a real baptism of fire. However, Ludovic’s personal form has been solid. He’s the numero un numero dix and is also the club’s main kicker. New head coach Rowland Phillips will be leaning on the likes of Mercier, as he sails the good ship Aironi through some pretty choppy waters in the months to come.

Pierre Capdevielle (Gloucester)
Pierre is in his second season at Kingsholm. The 36-year-old prop former France ‘A’ tight-head prop played for Perigueux, Montferrand and Brive before moving to Gloucester in June 2009. He’s been used mainly as a back-up prop, making only 11 starts from a total of 38 appearances. We reckon he’s got his own private table at Chez Azam and loves some plat du jour action, after slightly less action on the field.