Louis Picamoles, a No.8 who previously turned out for Montpellier, was one of several young players from unfashionable clubs selected for France by Marc Lièvremont during the new coach's first Six Nations Championship in 2008. However prior to the 2009-10 season, Picamoles announced he would join Top 14 champions Toulouse on a four-year deal.

After being capped as a replacement in the second match against Ireland - he learned of his call-up for the injured Elvis Vermeulen on his 22nd birthday, and half-thought it might be a joke - Picamoles started in the next game against England. Though the French were beaten 24-13 at Stade de France the novice larned a lot against the English pack and was credited with a top-ranking 11 carries in the official statistics.

Another start against Italy was followed by two more caps on tour in Australia and in the autumn internationals of 2008 Picamoles started against Argentina and came off the bench against the Pacific Islanders - scoring his first try for France - and Australia.

And despite missing the Grand Slam triumph in 2010 - Picamoles earned a recall to the national side for their tour of the southern hemisphere later on in the year. He went on to miss the 2011 Six Nations but again came back for France's summer games. He featured in the warm-up Test against Ireland on August 20 and was a surprise call-up to the 2011 France World Cup squad. He made three appearances in New Zealand.

Back at Toulouse in the 2011-12 season, Picamoles saw his reputation rise with a series of impressive performances on the Heineken Cup stage. And in the 2012 Six Nations, Picamoles played in all five of France's matches.

Picamoles had played previously for French Students, Under 19s (including the 2005 World Championship) and U21s, for whom he scored two tries against England U20 in a 32-20 win at Northampton in March 2007.