Who is Aaron Grandidier Nkanang? All you need to know about the English winger who has replaced Damian Penaud in France’s squad

Fabien Galthié has named English-born and raised winger Aaron Grandidier Nkanang in his 42-man France squad for the upcoming 2026 Six Nations.

A gold medal-winning sevens player now has the opportunity to make it big in the XV aside game after Damian Penaud’s shock omission from the French squad, leaving the door wide open for another winger to take the spotlight alongside Louis Bielle Biarrey.

Having impressed in the 2024 Olympic Games for France Sevens, Nkanang has pressed on to deliver yet more impressive performances in a Pau shirt, most recently playing the full 80 minutes in their Investec Champions Cup loss to the Bulls.

His try-scoring exploits don’t currently match up to the excluded Penaud, having scored a ratio of 0.3 tries per game in recent seasons, but his ability in the air and in defence are seen as major plus points over his experienced rival.

But who is Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, and how did he end up playing for France?

Who is Aaron Grandidier Nkanang?

A talented sportsman from a young age, Nkanang’s interests initially lay elsewhere – in particular, basketball. It was only when he reached the age of 16 that the London-born star started to take rugby seriously, playing at country level for Kent, regional level for London and the South East and England Counties.

His rise didn’t continue in the traditional way, though. In fact, he missed out on the academy system entirely, ending up studying at university instead.

It was at university that he made his next steps in the rugby world. He showed his highlights reel to a rugby agent, who organised meetings with French sides Brive, Toulon, Castres and Oyonnax.

The process was simple from then on. Due to his mother’s French nationality, Nkanang had his French passport ready to go when he agreed to sign for Brive. After a couple of seasons at the club, he made the move to Pau, where he has since become a key player within the fold.

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Why is Aaron Grandidier Nkanang playing for France and not England?

Born in Haringey, north London, with a British-Nigerian father and a French mother, he was never short on international options, but his choice has been clear for some time.

Speaking to the BBC last year, the 25-year-old said: “Honestly, I wouldn’t want to play for England anymore,

“I do feel a lot of attachment to England – my family and friends are there, I grew up there so I still have a lot of love for it. But France has given me everything professionally.

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“My next ambition is to be capped in XVs. It would be a hell of a journey, but that is definitely the next objective.

“I would be disappointed in myself if, after all of this, I went to play for England. That wouldn’t be a good thing to do, for me, it is not really ethical.”

France will play England on the 14th March 2026, in what could be a huge day for the Pau star.

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