Constraints and opportunities: The case of the first French professional female rugby players

This study aims to address the lack of research on the dual-career experiences of the first generation of professional female rugby players in France. Specifically, it examines (1) the current status of professional female rugby players and (2) how they combine their rugby careers with higher education and/or employment outside sport. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 professional female rugby players (8 from rugby sevens and 8 from rugby union). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to explore how they combine rugby with higher education and/or employment. The recent professionalisation of female rugby in France presents both opportunities and constraints for dual careers. Professional contracts offer greater financial security and allow players to devote more time to rugby. However, their short-term nature creates uncertainty and encourages athletes to prepare for a career outside sport. Participants have adapted their educational pathways to meet sporting demands, often through flexible distance learning. Higher education was seen as essential to securing their long-term career prospects. Maintaining or developing a job alongside rugby also emerged as a strategy to ensure financial stability and facilitate future career transitions. Enhanced institutional support is required, particularly in terms of flexible education programmes and accessible employment opportunities. Furthermore, dedicated career development programmes should be implemented to ensure a smoother post-sport transition for professional female rugby players. This study contributes to the literature on dual careers by examining the experiences of the first generation of professional female rugby players in France, a context that remains understudied despite the recent move towards professionalisation.