IT can be a tough task getting lads to learn a foreign language.

But teachers at Cowley Language College hope they have hit on a winner by twinning pupils’ passion for rugby with a spot of French.

Cowley’s year 9 team embarked on a five-day tour of the South of France yesterday (Wednesday).

And coaches have been trying to make sure the language barrier won’t affect the squad on the pitches of Carcassonne and Perpignan.

The players have been learning the French equivalent of rugby league phrases during extra lunchtime training so they can understand and talk to referees.

It is also hoped the lessons will help boys from the famous rugby school to chat with locals while on tour.

The boys will also get the chance to train with Super League side Catalan Dragons, visit a French school and test their language skills.

Stuart Foster, PE teacher and tour organiser, said: “The lads have been playing games with one of the language teachers shouting an interpretation of my refereeing comments like ‘held’, ‘get back onside’, ‘roll away’ in French.

“It really has boosted their interest in languages and hopefully they’ll understand some of the calls when they get over there.

Nationally, in 2009 only 25per cent of boys gained a GCSE in subjects like German, French, and Italian.

But Cowley – which specialises as a language college - hope that combining the subject with sport will help tackle the trend.

It has been working with Saints RLFC to deliver a project in PE, languages and media studies, which culminates with the rugby tour.

And for the first time Cowley will be taking a media team with them on tour to document the trip.

On Tuesday they received some invaluable advice from former Cowley teacher and BBC commentator, Ray French.

The reporting squad will be responsible for filming matches, writing reports and doing a daily blog from Carcassonne and Perpignan.

They will also be doing a live report on BBC radio Merseyside’s rugby league show, featuring Ray French and Alan Rooney.

Once back home, the aspiring journalists will produce a bilingual DVD of the tour in order to show future teams the benefits of learning a language and act as a study aid for classes learning French.

Meanwhile here’s just a sample of the lads’ handy French phrasebook…rugby league style

  • Une pass en avant: forward pass
  • Hors-jeu: offside
  • Cogner sur: knock on
  • Un placage: a tackle
  • Un essai: A try
  • Un carton rouge: A red card
  • Une melee: A scrum