French Rugby is not all English outside halves, Georgian props and have-boots-will-play South Africans, you know. Le Rugby’s new Welsh correspondent, Ray de Galles, assesses the form of the four Welsh players currently plying their trade in France. His first installment takes us up to the end of September.

Jamie Robinson
Age: 29
Position: Centre
Club: Toulon, Top 14 (joined July 2009)
Previous Clubs: Cardiff Blues
Caps: 23

Tri-lingual Robinson (he speaks French and English as well as the language they speak in Heaven - and Neath) has adjusted well to life in Toulon. He’s played in 7 of their 8 games, making 5 starts and scoring one try, quite an achievement when you consider Toulon’s scatter-gun approach to team selection last season. Mon dieu, they had more three-quarters than a Maths textbook.

His moment of glory came against Toulouse at Stade Mayol in week 7. With his team nervously hanging on to a five point lead in the dying seconds, Toulouse mounted one final attack that saw the ball being charged down into Toulon’s vacant dead ball area. As time seemingly stood still, Robinson beat Vincent Clerc to the ball to ground it and secure the win. His hands weren’t quite so secure the previous weekend, however, as our man fumbled the ball to allow a decisive, last-minute try for Montpellier, who took the game 21-20. Merde.

Alix Popham
Age: 29
Position: Back Row
Club: Brive, Top 14 (joined June 2008)
Previous Clubs: Newport, Leeds, Llanelli Scarlets
Caps: 31

In only his second season with les Brivistes, Popham has been named club captain, a great honour. This would have more than made up for the news that his two Welsh soulmates at the Stade Amédée-Domenech, Barry Davies and Liam Davies, both returned home to join the Ospreys in the summer.

This campaign has seen him play in 7 of the 8 games, making 4 starts and sharing his time between blindside flanker and number 8. This versatility could come in handy if he wants to keep his place in the team - he’s got some serious competition for his place from the likes of Antoine Claassen, Simon Azoulai, Gerard Vosloo and Vincent Forgues.

Chris Wyatt
Age: 34
Position: Lock/Number 8
Club: Aix-en-Provence, Pro D2 (joined July 2008)
Previous Clubs: Newport, Neath, Llanelli Scarlets, Munster, Bourgoin
Caps: 27

Wyatt is enjoying an Indian summer to his career. Most clapped-out, chain-smoking ex-Welsh internationals drop down the leagues, stopping off at the likes of Bedwas, Kenfig Hill and Pontycymmer before finally hanging up their boots.

Our man, however, is larging it up in Peter Mayle country, mixing the Sauvignon Blanc with the saucisson and having a right time of it. On the field he’s played in all 5 games to date, making 4 starts including last Saturday’s epic win over high-flying Narbonne, les Provencales' first win in Pro D2 this season. He’s packed down at number 8 only so far, but has the ability to play anywhere in the back five.

Tomos Marks
Age: 25
Position: Fly Half
Club: Le Bugue, Fédérale 1 (joined June 2009)
Previous Clubs: Llanelli, London Welsh, Llandovery
Caps: None (yet)

Our new hero has made a chaud-et-froid start to his new life in the Dordogne. Under the guidance of coach Terry Fanolua, the ex-Brive, Gloucester and Samoan international centre, Marks has started both games, notching 4 penalties and a conversion.

Unfortunately he was wearing his Toblerone boots last weekend against Tyrosse, as he missed more than his fair share of pots at goal as les Buguois went down 14-27 at home. His record of having played every minute of every game so far this season could soon be under threat, especially if les Bugistes keep losing games.