A TALENTED young rugby player from North Yorkshire is plying his trade with a famous French team based in Paris.

Sam Ballard-Robinson, 18, of Thirsk, has signed for the Racing Métro 92 rugby team’s academy based in the French capital.

The teenager, from White Rose Way, moved to the French rugby union club in September in a gap year after leaving Thirsk School.

He already enjoyed spells playing as a hooker for Ripon Rugby Club and York Rugby Club before moving to France.

He has also played in the North Yorkshire County team and he has signed up for three months with the French team.

He said: "There are only about ten rugby academies in England and there are about 40 in France so I had more chance of getting signed up there.

"I got quite a few replies and I headed across to France. First of all I went to Club Athlétique Brive Corrèze Limousin.

"I also went to two other clubs and ended up in Paris at Racing Métro 92. I’m in the club’s academy and on-loan to another team Rugby Club Massy.

"I’ve signed a three month contract and then I will have a contract review and then I’ll take it from there.

"It’s been a real experience. They’re a different culture but it’s not been as hard as I thought to get on over there."

Racing Métro 92 was formed in 2001 by a merging of Racing Club de France and US Métro and they have the nickname The Racingmen.

They play at the Stade-Yves-du-Manoir stadium in Paris where the French national team used to play many matches.