Advertise on podcast: Playing with the French

Despite coming from a famous Australian and Tongan Rugby family, Mafi Kefu decided to carve out his own professional career in French Rugby before gaining international honours with Tonga. A leap into the unknown brought great rewards.

Sallyanne Atkinson served as Brisbane's Lord Mayor for six years before a later career move to Paris as Australia's Senior Trade Commissioner to France. She has played an important role in the bids for the Olympic Games by Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Hubie Abbott pioneered the French Rugby League experience when he played 3 seasons with 1st Division Club, Albi in the south of France in the 1970s and 1980s.

Brisbane chef and restaurant owner Dan Arnold was only 22 years old when he took up the challenge to work in some of France's finest dining establishments. Talk about a baptism of fire!

James Hartigan believed it would be fun to combine his love for playing Rugby Union with his desire to experience the many flavours of French culture. Sounds simple. But there's more than one twist to this tale.