Best French Goal Kickers: What Sets Them Apart (and Why Their Kicking Setup Matters)

France has always produced rugby players with flair, confidence, and creativity. But in the modern game, matches at international and professional level are often decided by something far more clinical than broken-field brilliance: goal kicking. Three points here, two points there, late-game pressure from the touchline, it all adds up.

Over the past decade, French rugby has developed a group of elite goal kickers who combine technique, composure, and ruthless consistency. What’s equally interesting for aspiring kickers is that these players don’t leave anything to chance. Their routine, preparation, and equipment are dialled in right down to the kicking tee.

Two of the most recognisable names in French rugby today, Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack, are both associated with using Rugby Bricks kicking tees, highlighting how seriously elite players take their setup.

Let’s go deep into the best French goal kickers, what makes them special, and what club and junior players can learn from them.

Thomas Ramos: The Benchmark for Modern French Goal Kicking

If you ask most fans or coaches to name the best French goal kicker right now, Thomas Ramos is usually the first answer. Playing for Toulouse and France, Ramos has become the definition of reliability.

What sets him apart isn’t just his strike, it’s his consistency under pressure. Tight Six Nations matches, knockout rugby, hostile away crowds, his routine barely changes. From a technical standpoint, Ramos has a smooth approach, strong alignment, and excellent balance through contact.

He’s also comfortable kicking from a wide range of distances and angles, which is critical in the modern game where penalties are often won near the touchline. Ramos understands that goal kicking is a discipline of repetition. The fewer variables you introduce, the better your strike holds up late in games.

That’s where equipment comes in. Rugby Bricks has highlighted Thomas Ramos as one of the elite players who trusts their kicking tees. For young kickers, that’s a reminder: your tee is part of your routine, not an afterthought.

Romain Ntamack: Simplicity, Rhythm, and Repeatability

While Romain Ntamack is often praised for his creativity as a fly-half, his goal kicking is built on something much simpler: repeatable mechanics.

Ntamack’s routine is clean and efficient. There’s no rush, no wasted movement, and no unnecessary complexity. His focus is on rhythm, placing the ball the same way every time, stepping in with the same tempo, and striking through the same contact point.

This approach makes him incredibly reliable, particularly in high-pressure moments where mental clarity matters more than raw power. Like Ramos, Ntamack has also been associated with using Rugby Bricks kicking tees, reinforcing the idea that elite kickers value stability and consistency in their setup.

For developing players, Ntamack is proof that you don’t need an elaborate routine. You need one you can repeat when you’re tired, nervous, or under the spotlight.

Melvyn Jaminet: Distance and Authority

Few French kickers generate the same sense of confidence from long range as Melvyn Jaminet. When Jaminet is on form, penalties from 50 metres feel very much “on”.

His kicking style is built around power and a strong, direct ball flight. The ball comes off his boot with pace and a relatively flat trajectory, which makes him especially dangerous in windy conditions or on heavy pitches.

Jaminet shows that while technique and routine are essential, commitment to the strike is just as important. Long-range goal kicking demands trust in your process—and that trust starts with how the ball sits on the tee.

Matthieu Jalibert: Precision Over Power

At the other end of the spectrum is Matthieu Jalibert, a kicker known for touch, finesse, and accuracy rather than brute force.

Jalibert’s kicking is highly technical. His ball placement, body alignment, and follow-through are all about guiding the ball cleanly through the posts. He’s particularly strong from awkward angles, where control and timing matter more than distance.

His style highlights an important lesson: goal kicking isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different kickers need different setups—but all elite kickers need consistency.

Why the Kicking Tee Matters at the Top Level

A kicking tee won’t magically improve your technique—but it can remove unnecessary variables.

Elite kickers choose tees that:

• Hold the ball stable in all conditions

• Present the ball at a consistent angle

• Match their preferred strike height

This is why many professional players gravitate towards tees like the Rugby Bricks RB Vortex range. Features such as a wide base for stability and defined ball placement help kickers replicate their setup every single time.

At the top level, goal kicking is about eliminating doubt. The fewer things you need to think about, the more your body can do what it’s trained to do.

What Club and Junior Kickers Can Learn from the Best

The biggest takeaway from France’s best goal kickers isn’t their power or flair—it’s their discipline.

• Pick a tee that suits your kicking style

• Use the same setup in training and matches

• Build a routine you can repeat under pressure

Whether you’re a fly-half, fullback, or junior player just starting out, copying the habits of players like Ramos and Ntamack is far more valuable than copying their highlights.