Western Force recruit Nick Champion de Crespigny is optimistic that his three-and-a-half years playing in France has set him up for his first crack at Super Rugby.
The 28-year-old back-rower linked up with the Force in July following his stint with Castres Olympique that included playing in the European Rugby Champions Cup and a Top 14 final.
Prior to his French stint, Canberra-born Champion de Crespigny won two NSW Shute Shield titles with Sydney University along with current Force players Harry Potter and Tom Horton in 2018 and 2019.
He had also been involved with the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs but never quite got a Super Rugby opportunity, before former teammate Tom Staniforth called him about playing for Castres and he never looked back in a competition rated among the world’s best.
Across his three seasons in France, Champion de Crespigny played 56 games in both the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup.
“I think it was great for my development,” Champion de Crespigny told Force TV. “You learn a lot about the tactical and physical side of the game which suits me.
“Playing in the Top 14 final is a memory I’ll hold close, playing in front of 80,000 people at Stade de France.
“Fortunately my family was able to get over there. We didn’t get the biscuits that day, but it was a memorable season.
“But I absolutely loved my time over there. It was about three-and-a-half years. The Top 14 is a massive competition.
“It’s growing every single year. We were fortunate to play in the European Championship as well. You get to travel around, verse some of the world’s best. I absolutely loved every minute.”
Champion de Crespigny was quick to take up the opportunity when the Force approached him earlier this year about a return to Australia.
“I was excited to get back and give Super Rugby a good run,” he said. “I didn’t really have an opportunity when I was younger.
“I felt I could prove myself over there. I’ve ambition to push myself higher and see how far I can go as an individual.
“With the Force, I just saw there’s a group of guys who are ambitious to do something special together.
“It’s something which the Force hasn’t done before, see how far we can go into the finals and push on for championships.”
Off field, the origins of Champion de Crespigny’s unique surname is an obvious question, which he explained comes from a small town in Normandy in northern France where his family originates.
His family background is interesting, including his grandfather Rafe who is a well-known and respected sinologist and historian who was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001.
His cousin Richard also shot to fame in 2010 when serving as pilot-in-command of Qantas Flight 32 which he heroically completed an emergency landing in Singapore after it experienced uncontained engine failure.
Outside of rugby, Champion de Crespigny keeps himself busy studying a Masters of Property Development, having completed a Bachelor of Economics as an undergraduate during his time at Sydney Uni.
Beyond that, he’s settling into Perth well, given his pre-existing friendships with Horton and Potter, while another ex-Sydney Uni teammate Harry Johnson-Holmes will head west soon too.
For now, he’s firmly focused on finding his way into the Force line-up having been named in the side’s squad for the three-game South Africa spring tour and the starting XV for Saturday’s clash with Perth Gold.
“We train to play,” he said. “The boys are really revved up to go. Prepare well to head into south Africa with some confidence.
“I think it’s a great chance for us to get closer as a group. Figure ourselves out, have a few tough games away before we get into the super rugby season. Really good opportunity for us.”
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