"France still has the proper traditions of rugby"

RUGBY IN France is different. It’s hostile, supporters love it, and if you’re the opposition – be it a club, age-grade or an International – they love to hate the opposition.

- KEN OWENS

That’s why not many teams win away from home. I love playing over there.

But while for 80 minutes on the pitch they hate you, every game is an event and you will be looked after before and after the match. It’s so different to what we’re used to in the UK. And there’s huge tradition, huge history. They do the game different.

It’s like France still has the proper traditions of rugby, which is brilliant. And because it’s such a big country, not every town gets to experience an age-grade International or a women’s Test – those things don’t come around too often. So when they do, they make the most of it. That’s why you’ll get a huge crowd for England women versus France. They show up for their rugby in large numbers.

Some boys don’t like going to France but I love going out there. And I have good and bad memories out there.