James Maloney's challenging start to French life with hilarious pharmacy visit

James Maloney has landed in France for the next chapter of his career and the former NRL star has left local media in stitches after revealing how he was having a little trouble adjusting to the culture. 

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James Maloney’s French isn’t flowing just yet but he has already endeared himself to the locals with a hilarious interview in the south of France.

The Panthers five-eighth revealed he and wife Jess, who arrived in the south of France recently with their four children, had struggled a bit with the switch from Penrith to Perpignan.

Maloney, 33, was quickly nicknamed 'Jimmy the Joker' after telling local media just how tough the family had found it.

"French is a bit of a challenge, my wife and I went to the pharmacy to pick up a cold/flu remedy and I think we ended up with a packet of condoms, which is a bit late for us with four kids," Maloney said.

Before he left, Maloney had been learning to speak French in preparation for his arrival at Catalans Dragons and one of the first phrases he has mastered is how to order a beer, albeit in a thick Australian accent.

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James Maloney will play his final game in the NRL on Sunday.

“I know how to order a beer … je peux un bière. I’ll have one beer,” Maloney said with a laugh.

“Bonjour je m'appelle James, ca va? … Hello my name is James, how are you going? A bientot … See you soon.

“I have apps on my phone. I’ve been trying to learn little bits … it’s coming along. I think once the footy is done I’ll have more time to focus heavily on it so I have a bit of a kick start before I get over there.”

Originally published as James Maloney's challenging start to French life with hilarious pharmacy visit