World Footy News

After many years of struggle, France is finally ready to host its first national championship. The national league will take the form of a series of tournament rounds played in the different cities which are home to clubs, Montpellier having the honour to host the historic first round this weekend.

The four established clubs of Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Montpellier will compete in the first season, with the new clubs in Perpignan, Aix en Provence and Toulouse hoping to appear at the Coupe de France tournament to be held in Bordeaux in July.

Read on for a preview of the four teams involved in the inaugural national competition.

BORDEAUX BOMBERS  

After a really promising 2008 season, the Bombers are willing to gain experience and confidence throughout the event. According to Fred Zohar, the Bombers' president, the players improved their technique and fitness during the year. “We want to improved the team strategy and spirit during the tournament, which might tough to handle as some of the players haven't played a game yet, and it's obviously our first tournament”.

But the Bombers can rely on a core of experienced players who played for France in the last EU Cup, and some new talented players. Full of enthusiasm, the Bombers will travel to Montpellier with 15 players, hoping to win their first game against Strasbourg.  

MONTPELLIER FIRESHARKS  

The Montpellier team, which was created less than a year ago, will be the host of this historical premier. Benjamin Hamon, the club president, is confident in his team, which was proved by their recent victory against the Perpignan Tigers in a friendly pre-season match.

“We want to surprise people during the championship, and it starts with a victory against Paris”, says Benjamin Hamon. The Firesharks will rely on a strong defence and a few experienced players who represented France during the EU Cup.

PARIS COCKERELS  

The French capital's team seems to be the favourite to win the title this year. After their victory in the inaugural French Cup, the Parisians will travel to Montpellier with experienced players from Australia and France, but also Canada and Ireland. The Cockerels had a busy pre-season, with the Paris International Rules Tournament, and a full 18-a-side game against the North London Lions. During all their pre-season the Cockerels have shown sign of good progress, and were close to beating the Lions.

Cyril Talon, the club's president, is proud of all the work done so far, every training drawing around 20 players who are eager to improve their technical skills and team play, which is a drastic change for a team which was about to disappear in 2006.  

LES KANGOUROUS DE STRASBOURG  

Like every year the Kangourous have seen lot of their players leave team, but also new ones joining. With a team made of half new and half experienced players the Alsatians will probably field the weakest team. With such inconsistency in players, the Strasbourg team won't the competition in the best state of mind, but the pride and honour of those pioneers might make a difference.

The Kangourous will have the support of some Catalan players who will travel to Montpellier to make up the numbesr during round one.

The Strasbourg team hope to be in better shape for the following round, and will start the championship with a lot of uncertainty.