Returns to the Top 14
This French rugby sevens team has been carefully put together to meet the needs of the Paris Olympics, and includes a good number of players with a fifteen-a-side background.
Obviously, as the headliner, Antoine Dupont was the face of this team, and also received the honor of knight of the Legion of Honor on the Champs Élysées last weekend. Without any real surprises, the latter will make his return to XV, with Stade Toulousain, and has already resumed training in the pink city after a few weeks of well-deserved vacation.
The best player in the world is likely to make his return to the Top 14 pitches at the beginning of October, with two possibilities. The first being against his former team, Castres Olympiques (October 5) or at home when receiving Clermont, a week later (October 12).
But he is not the only one to make his return to the Top 14, since Perpignan has already used one of the key players of France 7, the winger Jefferson Lee-Joseph. Indispensable during the Olympics, the latter did not wait long to take his first steps with his new team. He came on as a substitute on the first day against Bayonne, and got the same amount of playing time against Montpellier. He will be one to watch this season.
In Perpignan, Jean-Pascal Barraque is also under contract, but until June 2025. The latter should occupy the center position with USAP, after stints in Clermont, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Biarritz. He has not played for the moment.
Then, Théo Forner has also been a Catalan since 2019 and has already experienced the Top 14 in 2023, with a try against Castres. However, the latter is still treating his knee, and will be away from the field for several more months.
Another sensation of this Olympic epic, the talented Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang signed for Pau this season, after several years spent with Brive. In Corrèze, the winger has had five starts in the Top 14, and would like to confirm his potential in Béarn. Absent from the first two match sheets, there is no doubt that we will see Grandidier express himself in the coming weeks.
Then, the youngest player in this adventure, Andy Timo, also made his return to school with his team. The young 20-year-old third row plays for Stade Français, with whom he played half an hour in the Top 14 last year. He has not yet been called up this season, but should join the squad quickly.
We continue with another Toulouse player, who was supposed to be a reserve, but who took advantage of Forner’s injury to join the group, the rocket Nelson Épée. The latter could experience his first minutes in the Top 14 of the season for the trip to Montpellier. Previously, and for his first season as a pro, Épée had been part of the final stages in 2022, with an entry into play during the play-offs and in the semi-final against CO. He should naturally be a strong competitor this season.
Finally, Rayan Rebbadj should also devote himself to his first love for this new season. The Toulon nugget had made a remarkable debut in the Top 14 with three starts in the center. He can also play on the wing, which could push Mignoni to include him in his match sheets. For the moment, he has not been able to express himself, but given his performances in Paris, he should have his chance.
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They remain at seven
Obviously, not everyone had the opportunity or even the desire to switch to rugby union, even after such recognition. This is the recent case of Antoine Zeghdar, a player for Castres Olympique, who decided, by mutual agreement with his club, to stay with France 7 for this season.
His salary will be covered by the French Rugby Federation and he will make himself available for the CO in case of injuries to several players. Whether on the wing or in the centre, the Tarnais are well-stocked.
Then, freshly decorated as a knight of the Legion of Honor, Paulin Riva and Stephen Parez could well continue with the Bleus du sept. The latter, who were asking themselves questions about their future, have not come back to it recently and could pile on another season.
Former Stade Français player Varian Pasquet is also continuing his seven-a-side adventure, as is Jordan Sepho, who is a true specialist in the discipline. Then, there should be turnover in this new French team, which will need additional talents to continue to shine.
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