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frédéric Michalak Trades French Rugby Union for Australian Rugby League Challenge
Published: [Current Date]
A critically important shift is on the horizon for Frédéric Michalak,the former French international scrum-half and fly-half. After three seasons as the attacking coach for Racing 92 in France’s Top 14, Michalak is set to embark on a new chapter in his coaching career, transitioning to the world of Australian rugby league. This move, confirmed by the club on Thursday, marks a bold step into a different code of the sport.
Racing 92 announced that Michalak will depart the Parisian club in June 2026. His destination? A prominent franchise within the National Rugby League (NRL), Australia’s premier rugby league competition. this announcement comes as Racing 92 prepares to kick off a new European campaign in the Challenge Cup against Ulster in Ireland on Friday evening. The club expressed its full support for Michalak’s enterprising pursuit, stating, “Racing 92 wishes him every success in this new sporting challenge and knows that it can count on his determination until the last day.”
A familiar Face Down Under
Michalak’s new Australian home will be the Cronulla Sharks, where he will serve as an assistant to head coach Craig fitzgibbon. This isn’t Michalak’s first foray into the NRL surroundings; he previously worked with the Cronulla Sharks in 2022 as a consultant, focusing on kicking and skills development. This prior experience provides a solid foundation and demonstrates a pre-existing understanding of the nuances of rugby league.
Michalak joined Racing 92 in the summer of 2023. His illustrious playing career saw him represent some of France’s most successful clubs, including Toulouse, Toulon, and Lyon. During his playing days with Stade Toulousain, he secured two French championships and two European Champions Cup titles. His coaching journey has also seen him venture outside of France previously. From 2008 and again between 2011 and 2012, he played for the Natal Sharks in South Africa, even clinching a Currie Cup title in 2008. This diverse background in both hemispheres and across different professional rugby structures highlights his adaptability and broad understanding of the game.
Michalak’s impact on French rugby union is undeniable. For a significant period, he held the record for the most points scored for the French national team (436 points), a record later surpassed by Thomas Ramos. With 77 caps for Les Bleus, his on-field achievements are well-documented. As a coach at Racing 92, he aimed to bring further success, guiding the team to a playoff appearance in the Top 14 in 2024. However, the 2025 season saw the team finish in a disappointing 10th position. Currently, after 11 rounds of the French Championship, Racing 92 sits 11th in the standings, with their attack ranking 10th.
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