What is the optimal environment for the long-term physical development of the young elite rugby player? : Study of the physical characteristics and competition demands

To ensure long-term sporting success, a governing body such as French Rugby Union (FFR) must implement a physical development plan from youth to senior player. In this way, federal academies have been created for players from 15 years old (category under 16 (U16)), to 17 years old and then the development continues in clubs. Throughout their youth career, players might experience U18 or U20 teams, selection which are the two only national youth French team. The aim of this thesis was to describe the physical development of young French rugby players from their entry into national pathway (U16) to U20. To achieve this, we first described the anthropometric and physical characteristics of pla…