There are so many non-French speaking foreigners at French rugby club Brive that a group of local players have started lessons in the language of Shakespeare.
For a country that considers the French language as a central pillar to its highly-valued culture, it must be galling for some traditionalists that a group of French rugby players have taken up courses in English.
But that is the nature of professional rugby union in France, where most top clubs could this season field all-foreign teams.
There are 207 foreigners from 22 countries plying their trade for Top 14 clubs this term, a startling average of just under 15 per club, and up from just 99 two years ago. There are also 165 in Pro D2, the second division.
South Africa is the biggest provider of foreign players in the top division with 48. The position which has accommodated most foreigners is props with 43 - three props per club on average.
At Brive, the foreigners number 24, and the club's new signing at outside-half, Englishman Andy Goode, said French lessons were an essential part of living in France.
"Learning the language earns you some extra respect," the former Leicester stalwart said. "Plus it helps when it comes to learning backline calls too.
"But in all honesty, it's not just a club full of Frenchmen and three Englishmen, we've actually got guys from all over the world here: South Africa, Georgia, Wales - there's something like 12 different nationalities at the club."
Ten of the minority of Frenchmen in the squad demanded their own lessons, in English. Their request was granted and they now receive three hours tuition every week from bilingual teacher Caroline Maupas.
Next in the list are newly-promoted big spenders Toulon, who have 22 foreigners on their roster, and Montpellier with 20.
Alarmingly, the weakest-looking clubs in the Top 14 are among those with the fewest foreign recruits.
Dax, Mont de Marsan and Bourgoin have 10 foreign players apiece, but have only racked up seven wins between them from a combined 27 games so far this season.
One person concerned at the number of foreigners in French club rugby is national coach Marc Lievremont, who nevertheless approves high-profile signings.
"Dan Carter's presence, like that of Byron Kelleher and Jerry Collins, is a real plus," Lievremont told Le Figaro in a recent interview.
"Firstly, it turns the spotlight on our championship, and then, through his application and stature, Carter will bring an added value to his team-mates.
"But outside of these stars, the Top 14 is bringing in increasing number of foreign players, and obviously French rugby is suffering from this abuse.
"That certain teams can name up to two-thirds foreigners directly harms the French XV."
Lievremont said the scenario was a tricky one to solve.
Many French players go absent from their clubs for weeks on end if they are involved in the national team set-up, meaning under-pressure coaches turn to their foreign legion to fill their gap and maintain results.
"I suffer in silence when I see the best of France rugby's youngsters kicking their heels on the bench at the expense of an experienced and well-oiled foreign player," lamented the France coach.
France rugby legend Serge Blanco, president of the French League, also hailed the arrival in December of Carter at Perpignan but called for a cap on lesser foreign players.
"It's a great tribute for our league," Blanco said of Carter's decision to take a sabbatical from the All Blacks to play in France, adding that the Top 14 was now broadcast in nearly 140 countries.
"As for the (other) foreigners playing in our league, we must fix a cap to lessen the number and allow a maximum of French players to reach the highest level."
Blanco said rugby and football chiefs had appealed to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee to take up their demands, which currently run contrary to European law.
The man doing the bidding will likely be Bernard Laporte, the ministerial secretary of state for sports.
After a Six Nations defeat to Ireland back in 2001, the former national rugby coach highlighted the proliferation of foreign imports playing in French rugby as hindering the progress of potential international-class backs.
"Apart from Colomiers and Toulouse all the best clubs have foreigners playing in the centres or at halfback because they are the best in their position," he said at the time.
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/sport/french-rugby-suffering-from-foreign-exposure/1358817.aspx