Already, one rule: that of the majority. Absolute obligation to be authorized to play a Top 14 match against adults.
Obviously, the one and only who made his parents sign a waiver to be able to put his name on a match sheet before he turned 18 is called… Antoine Dupont.
Thus, at the end of October 2014 and at 17 years, 11 months and 11 days, the man who has just arrived from Crabos D’Auch in Castres is on the bench against Leinster in the Champions Cup, then on the sheet against Toulon 2 weeks later . But we will have to wait until the start of 2015 and his 18 years and 48 days to see him come into play.
Arthur Vincent, who celebrated his 25th birthday this Monday, remains the one who came into play the earliest, among the players still active. Even if the absolute record belongs to Morgan Parra, 18 years and 3 days old.
Baptiste Jauneau (18 years and 16 days)
As for ASM star Baptiste Jauneau, he also started very young, in December 2021, at 18 years and 16 days old. Regular captain of Clermont, he even took part in the tour to Argentina.
Tolofua (18 years and 28 days)
Then comes Christopher Tolofua, who immediately started with a start in the Top 14 after an appearance in the European Cup, for the needs of Stade Toulousain in 2012. He therefore remains, to this day, the youngest player in this case.
Finally, another player very ahead: Posolo Tuilagi. Well above the others physically in Crabos then in Espoirs, the USAP staff aligned him in Top 14 from September 2022, at the age of 18 years and 50 days the first time. Since then, he has already celebrated his first selections, become U20 world champion and a Perpignan executive. And this is just the beginning.
Otherwise Ntamack, Le Garrec, Barré, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Fickou, Carbonel and many others all started their careers in the Top 14 at 18 years old.