With injuries behind him, the French center is shining this season with Stade Toulousain and has what it takes to claim a starting place in the blue jersey.
Finally the year of confirmation. At 26, Pierre-Louis Barassi seems to have reached his full potential with Stade Toulousain. Arriving at the Rouge et Noir institution from LOU in 2022, the Frenchman was often affected by physical problems which prevented him from continuing. Five wounds, to be precise. A huge figure which could, at times, plunge him into difficult periods.
This season, despite a small relapse due to calf discomfort last October, he played 12 matches in the Rouge et Noir jersey, including 9 as a starter, performing very well, and is considered – rightly – to be the best French center of the moment. A very high level of play which led him to be called up by Fabien Galthié, first in November during the autumn tour, then this Wednesday, to prepare for the 2025 Six Nations Tournament.
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Confidence acquired
We must start from a simple observation: when he is able to continue, Pierre-Louis Barassi is simply exceptional and has (very) little competition for his position in France. His captain Antoine Dupont is full of praise for him: “When he’s like that, he’s almost irresistible,” explained the Olympic champion after the match against Exeter, before adding: “When he has opportunities, space and is in full possession of his means, he is a high quality player”. Powerful and impactful, clean and with incredible defensive solidity, the Toulouse player has alternated, since the start of this 2024-2025 financial year, between shadow work and great coups.
Facing Exeter, on the occasion of the 2nd day of the Champions Cup, during Toulouse's big victory, 64-21, he certainly had his benchmark match in the Red and Black colors. With two tries, two assists, a mess of crossings and an incalculable number of meters gained to put his team in the lead, the former Lyonnais was logically elected man of the match, symbol of his return to the forefront.
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He whips, he doesn't let go
-Ugo Line
Obviously, with such a level of play, “Jean-Louis” (his nickname inherited from his call-up during the 2019 World Cup) has established himself within the rotation of the best Haut-Garonne players and takes part in all the important meetings with the typical team. Last year, in the Champions Cup, he was injured against Racing 92 in the round of 16, missing several months of competition.
This season, he continues and even downgraded the young Paul Costes, starter during the 2024 Champions Cup final against Leinster, and who somewhat disappeared from the radar in 2025. Barassi has fully acquired the confidence of the staff, in a club where competition rages: “Pierre-Louis had his struggles, he had difficulty putting together performances worthy of the name with us despite a few moments where he obviously had his level. We're happy because, sincerely, he's tough, he doesn't give up.” said the manager of the Rouge et Noir, Ugo Mola, after Stade Toulousain's victory against the Chiefs, before adding: “Maybe with a little more simplicity in his daily life, he will be able to do cool things on the pitch. In this match, he was remarkable and he allowed us, on two or three difficult balls, to really get us back into the lead and make us score the first points.”
The 26-year-old seems to have found stability and is happy in the Pink City. Announced by Toulon, then Stade Français, he now wishes to remain within the Toulouse institution. According to information from Olympic Midday the extension of the center “there is little doubt any more”. Good news for the player, but also for the club.
The starting place under the blue jersey?
In 2019, Pierre-Louis Barassi had his first selection with the Blues, under the direction of Jacques Brunel. A raw talent, the French center has been recalled several times but, six years later, only has three small matches in the worn Le Coq jersey. A contrasting story with the XV of France, largely due to injuries. But in this 2024-2025 season, the Toulouse resident has become a regular at Marcoussis.
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First summoned during the last tour in November, where he did not play, Barassi is once again present on Fabien Galthié's list to prepare for the next Six Nations Tournament. If he is essential with Stade Toulouain, can he become so with the XV of France? His impactful profile, his defensive talents and his connection with Dupont, Ntamack and Ramos in the back lines, make him a serious candidate for the position of second center against Wales on January 31. He will nevertheless face strong competition, facing the young Émilien Gailleton and Nicolas Depoortère, who seem to have a head start in the hierarchy established by Fabien Galthié. But, in a pivotal moment in his career, the dream is allowed.
