1
Former French giants Biarritz ready to splash the cash on two frontrowers - reports
By Alex Shaw
It’s been a tough few years for Biarritz Olympique, with the former giants of French rugby plying their trade in Pro D2 since 2014 and struggling to make their way back to the Top 14.
They have qualified for the promotion playoffs in two of the four seasons they have spent in the competition, but currently sit 8th in the table as we pass the halfway mark of the season, four points off of 6th and the promotion playoffs.
Finances and player recruitment and retention have been an issue for the club in recent years, but the future is beginning to look brighter for the two-time Heineken Cup finalists, with Rugbyrama reporting the additions of two key front rowers for the 2019/20 season.
According to the report, Montpellier hooker Romain Ruffenach and club teammate Yvan Watremez are both heading back to Biarritz in the summer.
Ruffenach, 24, spent four years in French Basque Country after coming through the La Rochelle academy, clocking up over 65 appearances for the club between 2012 and 2016. His move to Montpellier has not been as fruitful as he would have hoped on the pitch, with opportunities few and far between behind Bismarck du Plessis.
With Guilhem Guirado on his way to the club and even reports of Dane Coles being lined up, Ruffenach’s prospects of playing time in Montpellier are not likely to increase anytime soon.
Watremez, 29, started his career at Biarritz before moving to Montpellier in the summer of 2012, a summer in which he won his sole cap for France, when Les Bleus toured Argentina. The loosehead has made over 100 appearances for Montpellier to date and had been an integral part of the club’s rise to prominence, but opportunities for Watremez have begun to dry up, too.
The pair are proven operators at the Top 14 level - with Ruffenach's RPI sitting at a healthy 72, despite a bit-part role - and should significantly bolster Biarritz next season, whether that’s in a bid to survive in the Top 14 or win promotion from the Pro D2 at the sixth time of asking.
Watch: Rugby World Cup city guide: Oita
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
Go to comments