Like every season, many players have revealed themselves on the pitches of the Top 14. In this list, we find several U20 world champions last summer. Mathis Castro-Ferreira, Théo Attissogbe, Oscar Jegou… Please note, no ranking has been established, the order of players is random.
Théo Attissogbe (Pau)
The winger or full-back from Pau has changed dimension during this 2023/2024 exercise. Already, a small statistical point is necessary. Attissogbe is the player who has crossed the most during the regular phase with a total of 24, three more than the Clermontois George Moala. A real poison for opposing defenses, the one who passed through the Mont-de-Marsan training center also scored 6 tries. In short, this season will remain as the one of the explosion for the Béarnais. He who could well experience his first cape with the XV of France in a few days in Argentina.
Mathis Castro-Ferreira (Toulouse)
For many, he is THE revelation of this season. The Toulouse third row has made a place for himself in the sun in just a few weeks within the plethora of Stade Toulousain squad. A first with the pros in Oyonnax, and then everything accelerated for Castro-Ferreira, who ultimately took part in 17 meetings with the Stadistesincluding 9 as a starter. Also, the U20 world champion in 2023 distinguished himself with no less than nine tries scored. Crazy activity, a killer instinct: Castro-Ferreira has everything of a future (very) great.
Oscar Jégou (La Rochelle)
Certainly, the season started very badly for the Rochelais, he who tested positive for cocaine after the first day of the championship and the defeat of the Maritimes at Montpellier. Absent from the field for many weeks, the flanker then distinguished himself in a much more positive manner on the field. With the injury absences of Botia and Boudehent at the end of the season, Jégou started in the play-off in Toulon and in the half against Toulouse. The 21-year-old even shone on the Mayol pitch. A tireless tackler with a higher than average individual technique, Oscar Jégou has all the makings of a modern third line.
Lenni Nouchi (Montpellier)
When you are 20 years old and you are captain of a Top 14 team… It is a very good sign as to your talent and your character. Lenni Nouchi had a difficult season with the MHR until the access match but from a personal point of view, it was a great success. Nineteen matches with the Montpellier jersey on his shoulders, including eleven in the starting fifteen. In terms of his remarkable performances, we will note his hat-trick on the Oyonnax pitch in a very important match in the race for survival.
Icon Sport – Romain Biard
Louis Penverne (La Rochelle)
Well well, here’s another U20 world champion. Stade Rochelais has had some difficulties in the first line this season. So at only 21 years old, Louis Penverne must have moved up the ranks quite quickly in the yellow and black squad. Fully integrated into the maritime workforce from the end of 2023he then chained the starts. In the end, Penverne finished the exercise with 16 match sheets (10 starts). Unfortunately, an injury came to stop his season earlier than expected.
Hugo Auradou (Pau)
He is one of those 20-year-old players who have become untouchable in their club’s starting fifteen. Victim of a major ankle sprain, he had to “abandon” his team at the end of March but he had time to prove all his talent before this hard blow. Major performances for the second line, who played 22 matches with the Pau Section. He was logically called up by Fabien Galthié for the summer tour in Argentina.
Nicolas Depoortere (UBB)
He has been talked about so much in recent months that it seems as if he has been there for several years already. Having become an essential player at the centre of the Bordeaux-Béglaise attack, Nicolas Depoortere has not only shone on the lawns of Top 14. He also became an international during the last Six Nations Tournament with two selections against Wales and England. His adventure ended last Friday on the pitch at the Vélodrome, after a defeat in the final. Don’t forget his ten tries either…
Icon Sport – Hugo Pfeiffer
Paul Costes (Toulouse)
A starter in the Champions Cup final and a substitute in the Top 14 final, Paul Costes has experienced some great moments in recent weeks. The center, who had formed the pair with Depoortere during the U20 World Cup in 2023, exploded with the red and black jersey on his shoulders. A 2023/2024 season that he finished with two trophies under his arm. 22 games with Toulouse at 21 years old, that’s a real performance. His acrobatic passes delighted the Ernest-Wallon public, and they will do so for many years.
Tevita Tatafu (Bayonne)
His devastating charges have blown up a good number of defensive curtains in recent months. The Basque colossus has made himself noticed. In fact, difficult to go unnoticed when you are 1m85 tall and weigh around 150 kilos. So, when you also have a good burst of speed, you wreak havoc. 28 matches for him with Rowing. Selectable for the French XV next November, Tatafu was called up with the Blues before leaving for Argentina. Logic.
