French Rugby Federation Call up

Senior School pupil Nelson P-M has been officially called up by the French Rugby Federation (FFR) to join its prestigious “Générations Bleues” programme. This national elite development pathway is designed to identify, develop and prepare France’s most promising young rugby talents for future international careers, serving as the gateway into the French national system and playing a central role in shaping the next generation of international players. Run directly by the French Rugby Federation, “Générations Bleues” is a high-performance identification and development programme targeting elite U17 and U18 players who have been recognised for their strong potential to progress to France U20 and, ultimately, the senior national team. It forms a core component of French rugby’s official national performance pathway.

Players selected for the programme are invited to national “Stage Bleu” camps, where the leading talents in their age group are brought together. Nelson will take part later this month, from 23rd-25th January 2026, alongside the country's leading U18 male players. 

During the camp, players will undergo comprehensive physical, technical, tactical and mental assessments, while training and competing under the close supervision of FFR national selectors, elite coaches and performance staff. Their performance will be measured against the standards and expectations of international rugby, providing a clear benchmark for future progression.

Selection into “Générations Bleues” marks the formal entry point into France’s long-term international rugby pipeline and is a strong signal that the FFR considers the player to have genuine international potential. Those invited are formally identified as high-potential athletes, integrated into the Federation’s national monitoring system for long-term support and follow-up, and placed firmly on the radar for France U18, U19 and U20 squads, while being immersed in the culture, environment and demands of French international rugby.

Born in France, of African descent, Nelson spent the 2022–2023 season in Portugal, playing Under-16 rugby with Grupo Desportivo Direito (Lisbon), where the club went on to win the national U16 championship. Since 2024, he has been a boarder at Bromsgrove and a member of the School rugby team. Beyond his School environment, Nelson is also supported by a bespoke high-performance team assembled specifically to guide every aspect of his athletic, physical and mental development. 

A compilation of clips can be viewed here.

Off the field, Nelson is also the founder of the Bromsgrove Black Students Association (BBSA), an initiative aimed at celebrating African cultures, fostering unity and promoting cultural awareness within the School community.

We look forward to following Nelson's progress on the rugby field this season and beyond, and wish him the very best as he takes part in the “Stage Bleu” camp.