François Trinh-Duc

Infobox Rugby biography
name = François Trinh-Duc


fullname = François Trinh-Duc
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|11|11|df=yes
placeofbirth = Hérault, France
height = convert|1.84|m|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|82|kg|stlb|abbr=on
nickname =
school =
university =
relatives =
ru_position = fly-half|capital=yes, outside centre
ru_club = Montpellier
ru_currentposition = fly-half|capital=yes, outside centre
ru_currentteam = Montpellier
ru_youthyears =
ru_youthclubs = Pic-Saint-Loup
ru_clubyears = 2004-
ru_proclubs = Montpellier
ru_clubcaps = 28
ru_clubpoints = (51)
ru_nationalyears = 2008-
ru_nationalteam = France
ru_nationalcaps = 3
ru_nationalpoints = (0)
pcupdate =
repupdate =

François Trinh-Duc (born 11 November 1986 in Hérault, France) is a rugby union player for Montpellier Hérault RC in France's top division of rugby union, the Top 14. Trinh-Duc's regular position is at fly-half or outside centre

His paternal grandfather is Vietnamese, hence his surname (originally Trịnh Đức). This makes him one of the first ever rugby players of Vietnamese origin to play for the French national side. [cite web |url=http://www.thanhniennews.com/sports/?catid=5&newsid=35073 |title=Trinh-Duc brings Asian spice to French league |publisher=Thanh Nien Daily |date=2008-01-16 |accessdate=2008-02-01 ]

He started playing rugby at the age of 4 at the Pic-Saint-Loup rugby school near Montpellier. [ cite web |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sixnations/Old-friends-new-blood.3738991.jp |title=Old friends, new blood |publisher=Scotland On Sunday |date=2008-03-02 ] There, he played with his future Montpellier team-mate Fulgence Ouedraogo. They both entered the club's youth teams at "Cadet" level (U-13/14). These two are said to be inseparable friends.

With fellow "Montpellierains" Louis Picamoles and Julien Tomas, they're part of the young trio of home-grown talents embodying the success of the Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club's attempt at "shaking up the old order" of French rugby in the Septimanie "terroir" which had always been historical rival Béziers's stronghold [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article3382162.ece] .

He was called up by Marc Lièvremont to the France squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship, [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7217029.stm |title=Marty replaces Fritz for France |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-01-30 |accessdate=2008-01-02 ] and has played in all of France's matches in the competition to date.

References

External links

* [http://www.ffr.fr/index.php/ffr/equipes_de_france/xv_de_france/tous_les_joueurs/trinh_duc_francois_19861111 FFR profile] fr icon
* [http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=529 Montpellier Hérault RC profile] fr icon