After nine days, the Top 14 takes its first break since the start of the championship. The opportunity for us to reveal our revelations from this first part of the season. Please note, there is no established ranking, those interested are listed in no particular order.
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Antoine Aucagne (Perpignan)
Best director of Pro D2 last year with the Aurillac jersey on his shoulders, the fly half or full back quickly acclimatized to the Top 14. Now in the colors of Usap, Antoine Aucagne (24 years old) quickly made the powder talk with his powerful footwork and his precision against the poles. In a Catalan team handicapped by numerous injuries, he has settled in and already has seven match sheets after nine days. We will also note his two scored tries. Good work for a man with no shortage of talent.
Icon Sport – Alexandre Dimou
This is the new bomb from the Bordeaux-Bègles Union. Just like Aucagne, Temo Matiu (23 years old) remains on an exceptional last season in the second division with Olympic Biarritz. A few months ago, the third row signed up with the UBB to take a step forward in his career. Apparently it's a good choice. Hyperactive on the pitch and blessed with rare speed for his position, the son of Legi Matiu – former French international – wreaks havoc in every defense he comes across. In eight appearances, he beat seven defenders and crossed four times. Beyond the differences made with the ball, Matiu has a taste for the goal since he already has four tries.
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Hacjivah Dayimani (Racing 92)
Among the Racing 92 recruits last offseason, it was not necessarily the name that stood out first. And yet. The South African third row, who played for the Stormers last year, is making a name for himself in France. Able to play in the center of the Ile-de-France third line as well as on the wings, Dayimani (27 years old) constantly puts his team forward thanks to charges of which he has the secret. Combining power and agility, the former Golden Lions also delighted his teammates with acrobatic passes. A real good pick for the Racingmen. Six matches played and two tries for him.
The 28-year-old Vannes winger did not wait to play in the Top 14 to achieve great matches at a very high level. It's true. Nevertheless, within a few weeks, he forced some people to get to know him. After only nine days of the championship, the New Zealander is already the X factor of the Breton backs. This is evidenced by his four tries, ten crossings and above all twenty-eight defenders beaten. If the RCV wants to hope to remain in the Top 14, it will need a great Rayasi. That's a certainty.
Icon Sport – Alexandre Dimou
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Maël Moustin (Montpellier)
What if it was there, the pleasant surprise of the season at MHR? Arriving a little on the tip of his feet from UBB, the U20 world champion winger in 2023 is in the process of finding a place in the sun in Hérault. Once again sparkling on the Castres lawn last Saturday, Maël Moustin (21 years old) piled up the good performances. In terms of statistics, he is doing well with three tries in five matches. Obviously dangerous with the ball in hand, he also knows how to grab some ammunition in the rucks and has a good tackle success rate (18 out of 24).
IF you are looking for a player who will never disappoint you in terms of combat, you have come to the right place. Last summer, Junior Kpoku was captain of the England Under-20 team. This English selection which beat France in the World Cup final… Full of confidence, the second or third row started this season as he ended the previous one, like a cannonball. The English colossus has already taken part in six meetings with the Ciel et Blanc. Result: a 57 out of 61 in tackling. Not too bad. Ah yes, a little reminder, he is only 19 years old…
In a career, the matches against Stade Toulouse are perhaps more memorable. Sunday evening, in his garden in Jean-Dauger, Xan Mousques (18 years old) burst onto the screen against the reigning French and European champions. A performance full of confidence in a tight match until the end. With a physique that is far from impressive (1.78m; 89kg), the Basque winger comes through with his vivacity and his vision of the game. Already the author of a double on the Lyon pitch ten days ago, Mousques is exploding on the edge of the ocean. And it is rugby lovers who benefit from it.
