The French season begins this week with the first round of Pro D2 fixtures taking place on Friday and Saturday evening followed by the Top 14 the following week.
The Scottish contingent playing across the Channel has grown, with Edinburgh trio Jamie Ritchie, Dave Cherry and Ali Price all making the move to France.
It’s easy to see the attraction given the quality of rugby and standard of living, not to mention the salaries on offer in what is the most lucrative league in the world.
The success of Blair Kinghorn at Toulouse has made the full-back the most eye-catching of the Scottish exports but Jonny Gray gave him a run for his money last season as Bordeaux won the Champions Cup and pushed Toulouse all the way in the Top 14 final.
There is intrigue in the second tier too where Cherry will be hoping to help Vannes return to the top flight at the first attempt.
Here’s a look at the Scots to watch out for in France:
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13. Cornell du Preez (Biarritz Olympique)
The 34-year-old back-row forward plays for Biarritz in the Pro D2 and has spent the past four years in France, the first three of which were with Toulon whom he helped win the European Challenge Cup in 2023, beating Glasgow in the final. Capped nine times by Scotland, du Preez played for Edinburgh and Worcester Warriors before crossing the Channel. A former South Africa Under-20 international, he qualified for Scotland on residency grounds. | AFP via Getty Images
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14. Gary Graham (US Carcassonne)
Last capped by Scotland in the 2021 Six Nations, the flanker is about to embark on his third campaign with Carcassonne in the French second tier. Graham, 33, made his name at Gala and Newcastle Falcons, following in the footsteps of his father, George, who played for the latter and Scotland. Stirling-born Gary has been capped four times by Scotland after initially receiving a call-up for England (for whom he never played). | SNS Group