Trinh-Duc adds Asian spice to Six Nations

Trinh-Duc: His paternal grandfather was from Vietnam. Picture: AFP
Sunday, February 3, 2008
FRANCOIS TRINH-DUC, the French fly-half of Vietnamese stock, will complete an incredible fast-track trip to the top when he makes his Six Nations debut against Scotland at Murrayfield today.
The 21-year-old player, whose paternal grandfather was from Vietnam, is one of a batch of young players at unfashionable Montpellier who has coaches purring.
Trinh-Duc grabbed the limelight on his second start for the Top 14 side last January when he ran riot against Bayonne scoring a total of 17 points (one try, three conversions, one penalty and a drop goal) in a 39-17 triumph.
That stunning performance earned him a starting place for six of the team's final seven games last season.
With quick hands, confident kicking and powerful runs, Trinh-Duc, who is still studying for a sports diploma, has now broken into new national coach Marc Lievremont's thoughts.
Trinh-Duc, who is a product of Montpellier's youth system and started playing when he was just four, was voted November's league player of the month and is his club's top scorer.AFP
The 21-year-old player, whose paternal grandfather was from Vietnam, is one of a batch of young players at unfashionable Montpellier who has coaches purring.
Trinh-Duc grabbed the limelight on his second start for the Top 14 side last January when he ran riot against Bayonne scoring a total of 17 points (one try, three conversions, one penalty and a drop goal) in a 39-17 triumph.
That stunning performance earned him a starting place for six of the team's final seven games last season.
With quick hands, confident kicking and powerful runs, Trinh-Duc, who is still studying for a sports diploma, has now broken into new national coach Marc Lievremont's thoughts.
Trinh-Duc, who is a product of Montpellier's youth system and started playing when he was just four, was voted November's league player of the month and is his club's top scorer.AFP


