Par
Jeremy Marty
Published on
Jan 3, 2025 at 4:33 p.m.
See my news
Follow Rugby News
At a time when the great book of rugby 2024 edition had to be put away on the shelves, many people thought back to that famous evening in July when France fell into the arms of its Olympic rugby sevens team. Moment more than significant in a life and a career, the actors of this coronation had to quickly move on to something else as required by the harsh law of professional sport.
If some like Paulin Riva, Stephen Parez, Varian Pasquet, Jordan Sepho or William Iraguha continued the septist adventure, others turned to the Top 14…with more or less success.
The Dupont evidence, learning for Grandidier and Joseph
This is the face that lit up the oval planet in 2024. Whether at 7 or at XV, Antoine Dupont left his mark. Obviously, the return to the Top 14 was not a problem for the Toulouse native. In total, he played 194 minutes in three Top 14 matches this season for three tries. If his presence has not been continuous, each time he steps on the meadow, he finds all his sensations, now remains to be continued.
Unlike Antoine Dupont, Aaron Grandidier has spent a lot of time on the pitches of the Top 14. Over the 13 days played so far, the Pau winger has six match sheets and 459 minutes of play. For the moment, he is not yet accustomed to the promised land with only one try, during his last more than successful performance against Vannes. But fast, strong and very comfortable in aerial duels, the London native has a big card to play in Béarn if he manages to become more efficient.
Also a winger, Jefferson-Lee Joseph is also one of those who have had a rather decent first part of the season with seven appearances and one try. On the Perpignan side, the 22-year-old winger or full-back showed his speed on numerous occasions. Not spared by small physical glitches, the former SUA must still progress in the last gesture to establish himself sustainably in Catalonia.
Limited playing time, tough competition… and injury
Unlike the three players mentioned above, things are a little more delicate for certain Olympic champions. Faced with tough competition at Stade Toulousain, Nelson Épée only spent 40 minutes on the pitch in two Top 14 matches. To claim a place in Ugo Mola's XXL squad, the player will have to take advantage of every crumb to showcase himself.
Same thing for his summer friends Jean-Pascal Barraque, Rayan Rebbadj and Andy Timo. The first named is in trouble in Perpignan where he only took part in two away matches. As for the Toulon winger, with only four match sheets and 185 minuteshe pays for the very strong start to the season of his competitors Gabin Villière and Gaël Dréan who are indisputable starters in the harbor.
Andy Timo only played a handful of minutes during his three entries in the Top 14 under the Stade Français jersey. The suspension of Sekou Macalou allowed him to grab a few moments and he will have to continue his efforts to claim more in 2025.
A year that Antoine Zeghdar and Théo Forner hope will be good. While the Castres was recently recalled by his club, he has not yet been used in the Top 14. Just like the Usap winger who is being patient and nursing a ruptured cruciate ligament .
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.
