Robinson's four-year plan to re-build France ahead of 2025 World Cup

Sydney Roosters mentor Trent Robinson will take his most significant step in a four-year plan to revive French rugby league when he sits alongside coach Laurent Frayssinous at France’s opening World Cup match against Greece.

Robinson was appointed FFRXIII director of rugby in 2020 but the game at Doncaster will be the first Test he has been able to attend with the French team due to COVID restrictions and NRL commitments.

France have a young squad brimming with home grown talent and for the first time every player is on full time contract with Catalans, Toulouse or another Super League club.

However, Frayssinous said Robinson is not only working with the players but also passing on his knowledge to the coaching and training staff as they build towards the 2025 World Cup in France.

“Trent Robinson has come for this World Cup, but he said ‘I am not coming for one shot, I am coming for the future. I am coming for four years’, so he is not stopping,” Frayssinous said.

“Trent is passionate about France, we all know that, so it is not about Trent Robinson coming for the 2021 World Cup, it is about long term.

“Trent is our director of rugby, and he is sharing with everybody just to make sure we are going in the right direction at the start with the players.

“He is one of the best coaches in the world, so he has got great knowledge and experience to share, which is great.

“We haven’t been able to beat one of the best teams for 32 years. The last time we beat Great Britain was in 1990, so want to make history at some point - maybe next year, maybe at the next World Cup - that is our challenge.”

Robinson, who has won three NRL premierships, began his coaching career with Toulouse in 2005 and was in charge of Catalans for two seasons before joining the Roosters in 2013.

Frayssinous, who will join St Helens next season as an assistant to new coach Paul Wellens, stepped up to succeed Robinson at Catalans and the pair share a passion to revive France as an international force.

France captain Benjamin Garcia, who enjoyed stints at Brisbane and Penrith as a young player, said Robinson was already having an impact on the team.

“Trent is one of the best coaches in the world so when he talks everyone just listens – about everything,” Garcia said.

“He knows French culture and he speaks French, so he is here because he wants to be here, and I think it is a big boost for us. It is an honour to have him with us.

“His way of coaching, his way of talking to us gives us a lot of confidence. We know we need to improve a lot, and we will, as we are building to the 2025 World Cup.”