Several Top 14 clubs – including Stade français, Montpellier, Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Pau – are still looking to strengthen their position at number 9. And the choice of certain players could seriously influence the latest movements to come.
The scrum-half position is one that has set the market on fire in recent months. Many issues have now been resolved: Nolann Le Garrec will take charge of La Rochelle and will be replaced at Racing 92 by Briviste Léo Carbonneau (if the agreement between the two clubs must be finalized while the player is still under contract until in 2026 in Corrèze), Santiago Arata chose to extend his contract at Castres after leading numerous discussions, like Paul Graou in Toulouse and Baptiste Couilloud in Lyon. However, some clubs have not yet found what they are looking for in number 9 and remain on the lookout for the right pick. This is the case of Stade Français which took a close interest in the case of Couilloud, Arata and Carbonneau. But Parisian decision-makers could be forced to downsize their squad and therefore seek to release Jules Gimbert – whose performances have disappointed – a year before the end of his contract (2026). The problem? This is because opportunities are now rare on the French market, especially since Léo Coly will stay in Montpellier. Will the capital's team have to look abroad? It’s likely, even if you have to keep an eye on the Tawera Kerr-Barlow (34 years old) option.
Saito kept in Toulouse, Iribaren towards the exit in La Rochelle?
The all black world champion (27 caps), not retained by La Rochelle after eight years of good and loyal service, expressed the desire to remain in the Top 14 and was offered to several clubs, including Stade français and… the Union Bordeaux-Bègles. While the commitments of Paul Abadie and Yann Lesgourgues expire next June, the recruitment of an understudy to Maxime Lucu could be made a future priority for the Girondins. Furthermore, Stade Toulouse should keep its current trio since, behind Antoine Dupont and Paul Graou, the Japanese Naoto Saito (27 years old; 21 caps) is on track to continue the adventure for one more year at Ernest-Wallon. According to our information, Japanese coach Eddie Jones would even be in favor of seeing him activate his option for an additional season.
For his part, will Teddy Iribaren still be in La Rochelle next season? Arriving in 2023, from Racing 92, the scrum half (34 years old; 1 selection) is under contract until June 2026 but, again according to our information, would no longer necessarily enter into the staff's plans. Could he also seek to relaunch elsewhere? The case is to be continued.
Montpellier and Pau are still prospecting
Finally, Montpellier and Pau also want to attract heavyweights to this position. For the record, these two clubs had seriously considered the possibility of convincing Santiago Arata (with a particularly aggressive offer for the Section), after the failure of the latter's negotiations with Racing. But the player and his advisors put an end to the discussions, even canceling the scheduled meetings, to finally give their agreement to the CO. As a result, and as mentioned in these columns, the MHR has approached the All Black Finlay Christie (29 years old; 25 caps) – who has not yet followed up – and could accelerate on the Springbok Herschel Jantjies (28 years old; 25 caps ). As for the Pau Section, where Dan Robson has still not extended his contract, the name of Baptiste Jauneau (20 years old) has been circulating recently. Could this lead be serious? The club would like to bring the under-20 international back to his hometown, but the Clermont captain is under contract until 2026 with the ASMCA.
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