Ex-Bristol coach Hill aiming for Top 14 job
Hill, who left his post as Bristol head coach following their 35-3 home Guinness Premiership defeat to Newcastle in February, starts work at his new club on July 21.
His priority is to guide Chalon-sur-Saone to promotion to the French Pro D2 – one division below the top flight.
The 48-year-old is then eager to progress to coach in the top division of French rugby – but only once he has learned the ropes and earned the respect of his peers in the French game.
"I went across to Montauban and had a chat there, but I thought to start off in the Top 14 without having understood how the French system operates would be too high-risk," said Hill.
"This job gives me an opportunity to go across to France and understand a lot more about the French system.
"The English and French are diametrically opposed in both rugby and life – and I have always wanted to see whether or not a balance between the two can be successful.
"I am intrigued as to whether a bit of English rigour in training and English discipline can blend with the natural flair of the French game to produce a successful hybrid."
Hill, who spent six years with Bristol Rugby from 2003, has signed a two-year deal with Chalon-sur-Saone, who topped one of the six Federale One pools last season but missed out on promotion after losing in the play-offs. And he knows what will be expected at the end of his first season in charge.
"There is real potential there – and the aim, of course, is to get promotion to Pro D2," said Hill. "That would be a real feather in the club's cap and the president here is very ambitious.
"Pro D2 is a very strong division, with clubs such as Begles-Bordeaux, Agen and Colomiers, and it would great for Chalon-sur-Saone to get promotion, although I appreciate it will be a tough task to do it.
"We are up against sides like Marseille, who have just signed Jonah Lomu, and there are some other good teams who will be eager for promotion. But it is definitely achievable."
And while Hill remains open to a future return to the Premiership, he is eager to test himself at the top level in France.
"I am hoping to earn some respect from people in France first," said Hill. "It can't be very nice for hard-working French coaches to see a foreign guy come straight in to a Top 14 job.
"I am keen to do my apprenticeship in Federale One, then progress to Pro D2 and then I would certainly be interested in coaching in the Top 14.
"I have been coaching for 14 years and French rugby and the Top 14 is something I have always been intrigued by. But first I have a big and exciting challenge at Chalon-sur-Saone."
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