Nelson Pompigne-Mognard called up to French Rugby Federation ‘Générations Bleues’ programme
Nelson Pompigne-Mognard has taken a major step toward international rugby after being selected for the French Rugby Federation’s Générations Bleues programme. The Bromsgrove School 1st XV player has now entered France’s official elite development pathway for future international players.
The Générations Bleues programme identifies young athletes with the physical profile, technical skill, and mentality required for international rugby. Selection places players under long-term monitoring by national selectors and performance staff. As a result, those chosen are considered genuine prospects for future France age-group squads.
Stage Bleu camp marks entry into elite system
As part of his selection, Nelson will attend the Stage Bleu high-performance camp from Jan. 23 to 25, 2026. The camp brings together the top U18 players from across France for intensive assessment and training.
During Stage Bleu, players are evaluated across technical execution, tactical understanding, physical output, and mental resilience. National coaches and performance staff use the camp to measure players against international benchmarks. This process helps shape future selections for France U18, U19, and U20 teams.
Nelson was born in France and is of African descent. He spent the 2022–2023 season in Portugal playing Under-16 rugby for Grupo Desportivo Direito in Lisbon. That season ended with the club winning the national U16 championship.
Since 2024, Nelson has been based in England as a boarder at Bromsgrove School. He plays primarily as a Number Eight for the school’s 1st XV, a programme widely respected within English school rugby. His performances there have helped raise his profile on the international stage.
International performances and elite preparation
Nelson’s development is supported by a bespoke high-performance team overseeing his physical, mental, and technical progression. The team includes experienced coaches, sports scientists, medical professionals, and performance specialists drawn from elite rugby environments. This structure allows his preparation to mirror professional standards.
That preparation was evident in December 2025 at the NextGenXV Global School Challenge in Spain. Nelson was ranked second-best Number Eight among ten elite schoolboy players. He finished behind only Jacobus de Villiers, the South Africa Under-18 national team Number Eight.
Away from the field, Nelson has also shown leadership within his school community. He is the founder of the Bromsgrove Black Students Association, which promotes cultural awareness and unity. The initiative reflects his commitment to impact beyond rugby.
