Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Players from 'Tier 2' nations playing in Europe (2024/2025)

 Here is a list of all the players from outside Tier 1 nations playing at a fully professional level in Western Europe (in the French Top 14 or Pro D2, English Premiership, or the Pro14). Those contracted to a team in a top tier league (Top 14, Premiership, Pro14) are in bold text.

The list is based on players who have a) been raised and gone through most of their development outside a Tier 1 nation at least to roughly age 16 or alternatively b) been called up to a national squad outside a Tier 1 nation at some level whether it be age grade, a selection team, or senior team either at 15 or 7s.

Players in Espoirs or Academy squads who have yet to make their senior first team professional debut are listed separately for easier readability. Also listed separately are players who were predominantly raised outside a Tier 1 nation (such as Alivereti Raka, Lucas Paulos etc) but have since gone on to win caps at some level for another nation.

We have attempted to note which country each player mostly grew up and were raised in. Whilst for the majority of players this is obvious (Aj MacGinty grew up in Ireland, Tim Nanai-Williams in New Zealand for example), in others there could either be a mixture of countries, or in a few cases could be simply hard to find out exactly, so there is the possibility of error.

Finally also noted is which players are officially cap tied through 15s (green), 7s (yellow), or a designated second team (purple). Cap ties that have expired after 3 years are noted in red.

If there is an error or omission simply leave a comment and it will be corrected.

Africa

 Algeria (6)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Issam HamelFranceHK18/06/97BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Yassin BoutemanniFranceTH12/07/90AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Mehdi SlamaniFranceLK19/12/01AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Yassine JarmouniFranceN815/03/95AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Hugo VerduFranceFH24/10/96BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Nadir MegdoudFranceWG26/03/97BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Fly half Hugo Verdu committed to Algeria this year and also signed for Brive from Massy to add to their list of internationals in Top 14 or Pro D2.

 Ivory Coast (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Alexandre PilatiFranceWG24/01/96DaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: No change from last year as wing Alexandre Pilati continues at Dax, his club since 2017, as the sole Ivorian international in Pro D2.

 Madagascar
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Luca GaboriauFranceWG20/04/04Stade FrançaisTop 14France

Comment: Luca Gaboriaou continues for a second season at Stade Français Espoirs where he will look to impress sufficiently to perhaps win a contract in Pro D2 or Nationale.

 Mauritius
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Nathan HarelMauritiusFB01/10/04Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France

Comment: Nathan Harel mid-last season became the first ever player from Mauritius to win a Top 14 Espoirs contract when he signed for Bordeaux.

 Morocco (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Yassine MaamryFranceLK08/07/93Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Karim QadiriFranceWG16/02/96OyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Only change from last year is Karim Qadiri switched from Grenoble to Oyonnax. Yassine Maamry is now in his 12th consecutive season in Pro D2.

 Namibia (4)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Patrick SchickerlingNamibiaTH16/10/98GlasgowURCScotland
Tjiuee UaniviNamibiaLK31/12/90MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Richard HardwickAustraliaN831/05/94GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Gerswin MoutonNamibiaWG16/12/99GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (1)
Herman CoetzeeNamibiaTH08/04/04Racing 92Top 14France

Comment: Grenoble signed two Namibian internationals over the summer, so there is one more than last season despite veteran Torsten van Jaarsveld retiring. Meanwhile Patrick Schickerling has given up playing for England and moved to Glasgow.

 Tunisia (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Bilel TaiebFranceFL27/01/93ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Bilel Taieb is now in his 10th season as a pro.

 Zimbabwe (7)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Lovejoy ChawatamaZimbabweTH26/08/92BristolPremiershipEngland
Cleopas KundionaZimbabweTH15/12/98NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Farai MudarikiSouth AfricaTH13/02/95NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Darrien LandsbergSouth AfricaLK26/07/98LionsURCSouth Africa
Tinotenda MasevereZimbabweFL17/10/98SharksURCSouth AfricaInt'l
Jason FraserSouth AfricaN815/04/91NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Tapiwa MafuraSouth AfricaFB11/04/96LionsURCSouth AfricaInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Eli SnymanZimbabweLK25/01/96BenettonURCItalyU20

Yet to play first team rugby (9)
Tatenda ChayayiZimbabweLHBullsURCSouth Africa
Vernon MatongoZimbabweLH20/02/02StormersURCSouth Africa
Stanley MuranganwaZimbabweLHAurillacPro D2France
Thabani NdlovuZimbabweLKSharksURCSouth Africa
Polite PhiriSouth AfricaFLStormersURCSouth Africa
Shingirai ManyararaZimbabweN824/02/04Racing 92Top 14France
Tadiwa ChikutiroZimbabweCT01/02/05AurillacPro D2France
Brendon MudzwitiZimbabweWGSharksURCSouth Africa
Edward SigaukeZimbabweWGSharksURCSouth AfricaInt'l

Comment: Tapiwa Mafura transferred from Cheetahs to the Lions to play URC for first time in his career. U20 flyer Edward Sigauke has joined Sharks Academy after successful trial. Meanwhile Sables staff are in talks for Eli Snyman to commit to them.

Americas

  Brazil (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Théo BastardieFranceWG26/02/00VannesTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Bastardie becomes Brazil's first ever Top 14 player qualifying via ancestry.

 Canada (4)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Matt BeukeboomCanadaLK03/04/97AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Tyler DuguidCanadaLK17/10/00MontpellierTop 14France
Evan OlmsteadAustraliaLK21/02/91AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Tyler ArdronCanadaN816/06/91CastresTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Canada has no new additions and down to just four players in pro rugby in Europe after long term injured Matt Tierney was released by Castres. None of these pros have featured for the national team over the past three years.

 Chile (3)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Diego EscobarChileHK17/04/00Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Javier EissmannChileLK21/03/97AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Iñaki AyarzaChileCT07/09/99VannesTop 14FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (1)
Lucas BertiChileSH12/12/03MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Chile has two players in Top 14 with Diego Escobar signing for Racing 92 and Iñaki Ayarza getting promoted with Vannes. Only three Chileans have ever played Top 14 and these two are the first since 2016/17. Ayarza is the first ever back to do so.

 Colombia (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Andrés ZafraColombiaLK26/03/96ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Zafra is in his 9th season as the one and only Colombian on this list and in his second season with promotion hopefuls Provence.

 Uruguay (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Manuel LeindekarUruguayLK23/04/97OyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Santiago ArataUruguaySH02/09/96CastresTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Uruguay has gone from five on this list two season ago down to two after Andrés Vilaseca departed Vannes after helping them to promotion, Germán Kessler moved to Rouen in Nationale, and Baltazar Amaya's tryout at Vannes did not lead to a contract.

 USA (7)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
David AinuuUSALH20/11/99ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Kapeli PifeletiEnglandHK01/09/99SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Roman SalanoaUSATH28/10/97MunsterURCIreland
Nafi MaafuUSALK18/06/98BiarritzPro D2France
Renger van EertenNetherlandsLK02/08/99BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Aj MacGintyIrelandFH26/02/90BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Toby FrickerEnglandWG20/07/95BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Titi LamositeleUSATH11/02/95HarlequinsPremiershipEnglandInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (1)
Waisea BainibureUSAWGAngoulêmePro D2France

Comment: Only new entry on this list from last season is Dutch lock Renger van Eerten who declared for the USA and made his debut for them in the summer.

Asia

 Japan (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Tevita TatafuTongaN802/01/96Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l
Naoto SaitoJapanSH26/08/97ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Japan now has a second international in France after Naoto Saito joined double Top 14 & European champions Toulouse. He will become the 7th homegrown Japanese player in the league and first ever scrum half.

Europe

 Belgium (5)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Charlesty BerguetBelgiumLH13/01/00VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
Gillian BenoyBelgiumFL08/05/95BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Jean-Maurice DecubberFranceFL10/09/96VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
William Van BostBelgiumFL01/08/98BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Siméon SoenenFranceFB03/01/03MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Thibaud FlamentBelgiumLK29/04/97ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (6)
Iyad MeksoudBelgiumHK03/04/06ToulouseTop 14France
Maurice FromontBelgiumLK10/09/03VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
Christoph BrysBelgiumFL12/12/02NeversPro D2France
Victor RavailheFranceFHMontaubanPro D2France
Théo AdabaBelgiumCT13/02/03MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Matias RemueBelgiumFB07/03/03ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Only new addition is Iyad Meksoud will also join Matias Remue and another junior from ASUB Waterloo Thibaud Flament at Toulouse. Otherwise all the same names as last year, but with Vannes promotion Berguet and Decubber will now play Top 14.

 Georgia (61)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Nika AbuladzeGeorgiaLH20/08/95MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l
Sergo AbramishviliGeorgiaLH20/11/03Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Giorgi AkhaladzeGeorgiaLH13/04/99ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Guram GogichashviliGeorgiaLH04/09/98Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Luka GoginavaGeorgiaLH04/10/96Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Lekso KaulashviliGeorgiaLH27/08/92PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Giorgi MamaishviliGeorgiaLH26/02/03GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Tornike MataradzeGeorgiaLH18/10/96NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Irakli MchedlidzeGeorgiaLH01/03/01AurillacPro D2France
Mamuka MstoianiGeorgiaLH05/12/01AgenPro D2France
Giorgi NutsubidzeGeorgiaLH11/11/98BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Omar OdishviliGeorgiaLH07/02/97AngoulêmePro D2France
Giorgi TetrashviliGeorgiaLH31/08/93PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Badri AlkhazashviliGeorgiaHK31/07/95MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Vakhtang JincharadzeGeorgiaHK08/11/99PerpignanTop 14France
Vano KarkadzeGeorgiaHK25/06/00MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l
Basa KhonelidzeGeorgiaHK19/09/03AurillacPro D2France
Luka NioradzeGeorgiaHK06/04/99AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Luka PetriashviliGeorgiaHK27/07/01Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Nika SutidzeGeorgiaHK01/09/03La RochelleTop 14France
Vakh AbdaladzeIrelandTH06/02/96BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Irakli AptsiauriGeorgiaTH23/02/03LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Luka AzariashviliGeorgiaTH30/11/99MontaubanPro D2France
Mirian BurduliGeorgiaTH06/01/91MontaubanPro D2France
Levan ChilachavaGeorgiaTH17/08/91CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Giorgi DzmanashviliGeorgiaTH16/06/02BiarritzPro D2France
Beqa GigashviliGeorgiaTH17/02/92ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Luka JaparidzeGeorgiaTH06/10/98MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l
Ilia KaikatsishviliGeorgiaTH19/02/93NeversPro D2France
Giorgi KartvelishviliGeorgiaTH10/12/91AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Gia KharaishviliGeorgiaTH13/02/99Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Aleksandre KunteliaGeorgiaTH26/06/02La RochelleTop 14FranceInt'l
Lasha MacharashviliGeorgiaTH13/11/98AgenPro D2France
Davit MchedlidzeGeorgiaTH10/08/04ToulonTop 14France
Giorgi MelikidzeGeorgiaTH24/05/96Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Guram PapidzeGeorgiaTH16/06/97PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Giorgi PertaiaGeorgiaTH23/12/96GrenoblePro D2France
Lasha PkhakdzeGeorgiaTH07/12/03NeversPro D2France
Nodar ShengeliaGeorgiaTH11/08/02BiarritzPro D2France
Badri TsikhistaviGeorgiaTH24/07/03BayonneTop 14France
Lasha JaianiGeorgiaLK21/04/98NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Giorgi JavakhiaGeorgiaLK24/09/96GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Kote MikautadzeGeorgiaLK01/07/91BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Aleksandre BurduliGeorgiaFL12/02/02AurillacPro D2France
Beqa SaginadzeGeorgiaFL29/10/98LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Beka ShvangiradzeGeorgiaFL12/06/02LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Rati ZazadzeGeorgiaFL27/06/03NeversPro D2France
Otia GiorgadzeGeorgiaN802/03/96Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Beka GorgadzeGeorgiaN808/02/96PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Ioane IashagashviliGeorgiaN823/04/00Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Tornike JalagoniaGeorgiaN812/12/98ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l
Ilia SpanderashviliGeorgiaN810/09/97Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Mikheil AlaniaGeorgiaSH19/11/00AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Gela AprasidzeGeorgiaSH14/01/98PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Vasil LobzhanidzeGeorgiaSH14/10/96OyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Tedo AbzhandadzeGeorgiaFH13/06/99AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Giorgi KveseladzeGeorgiaCT11/11/97GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Nicolas RagoeviFranceCT19/12/03NeversPro D2France
Georges ShvelidzeFranceCT26/10/03BrivePro D2France
Davit NiniashviliGeorgiaFB14/07/02LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Dachi PapunashviliGeorgiaFB20/10/01AurillacPro D2France

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Nikoloz NarmaniaGeorgiaTH13/09/00BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (26)
Onise IoselianiGeorgiaLHAurillacPro D2France
Luka KotorashviliGeorgiaLH20/06/04MontpellierTop 14France
Luka UngiadzeGeorgiaLHNeversPro D2France
Anri ShvelidzeGeorgiaHKBrivePro D2France
Levan EzieshviliGeorgiaTHClermontTop 14France
Mate GurtskaiaGeorgiaTHCastresTop 14France
Davit GvelesianiGeorgiaTH24/01/02ProvencePro D2France
Nika KumaritoviGeorgiaTHAurillacPro D2France
Giorgi MeskhidzeGeorgiaTHPerpignanTop 14France
Davit MchedlishviliGeorgiaTHGrenoblePro D2France
Archil NozadzeGeorgiaTHAgenPro D2France
Giga TutisaniGeorgiaTH03/02/04ClermontTop 14France
Nika ChkhortoliaGeorgiaLK30/01/07MontpellierTop 14France
Levan KepuladzeGeorgiaLK13/02/05Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Davit LagvilavaGeorgiaLKGrenoblePro D2France
Kakha ShekiladzeGeorgiaLKAurillacPro D2France
Mikheili ShioshviliGeorgiaLK02/06/06ToulonTop 14France
Temur TsulukidzeGeorgiaLKOyonnaxPro D2France
Andro DvaliGeorgiaFL10/07/05PerpignanTop 14France
Luka SaginadzeGeorgiaFLLyonTop 14France
Luka SuluashviliGeorgiaFL23/10/04AurillacPro D2France
Lasha TsikhistaviGeorgiaFL24/07/03BayonneTop 14France
Giorgi GergedavaGeorgiaN823/03/04ClermontTop 14France
Nika LomidzeGeorgiaN822/01/04BayonneTop 14France
Giorgi KhaindravaGeorgiaCT22/02/05Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Luka KhorbaladzeGeorgiaWG10/03/04LyonTop 14France

Comment: Highlight of the transfer market for Georgia was youngsters Aptsiauri and Shvangiradze getting Top 14 contracts and U20 standout Khaindrava getting a contract at Bordeaux Espoirs. There are zero players in URC or Premiership since Abuladze left Exeter.


 Germany (6)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Julius NostadtGermanyLH12/10/92ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l
Eric MarksGermanyLK09/12/96VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
Oskar RixenGermanyLK09/12/02ClermontTop 14France
Giovanni Habel-KüffnerNew ZealandN809/01/95BayonneTop 14France
Tim MenzelGermanySH01/01/92Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Maxime OltmannFranceWG28/12/95DaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (5)
Johannes PolomskyGermanyLHStade FrançaisTop 14France
Karl KasperGermanyLKStade FrançaisTop 14France
Colin WiedemannGermanyLKStade FrançaisTop 14France
Émile BlondinFranceFLGrenoblePro D2France
Edward JumatateGermanyFBStade FrançaisTop 14France

Comment: All the same names as last year apart from Chris Hilsenbeck's whose 12 season stint in Pro D2 ended as he moved down to Nationale 2. Unlike last year though there are two in Top 14 with Eric Marks promoted with Vannes and Oskar Rixen joining Clermont.

 Israel
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Yishai AvrahamiIsraelCTStade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Avrahami became the first ever Israeli to win a Top 14 Espoirs contract when he signed for Stade Français this summer.

 Moldova (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Dmitri ArhipMoldovaTH12/11/88DragonsURCWalesInt'l
Cristian OjovanMoldovaTH04/01/97ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Gheorghe GajionMoldovaTH13/11/92Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: No change to last year. Veteran Dmitri Arhip had his short term contract at the Dragons extended so now will spend his 13th consecutive season in Wales.

 Netherlands (8)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Koen BloemenNetherlandsLK13/05/98AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Teun KarstNetherlandsLK12/12/04BrivePro D2France
Tim de JongNetherlandsFL03/03/02AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Hugo HuurmanNetherlandsFL21/05/01AurillacPro D2France
Boris HadinegoroNetherlandsSH08/03/03AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Willie du PlessisSouth AfricaFH05/06/90Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Juun PietersNetherlandsCT09/05/01AurillacPro D2France
Peter LydonIrelandFB19/10/92DaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Renger van EertenNetherlandsLK02/08/99BrivePro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (6)
Toine Obiang NguemaNetherlandsLH14/06/06La RochelleTop 14France
Tobias de PrieelleNetherlandsLK15/02/05AurillacPro D2France
Jazz DrolsbachNetherlandsLKAurillacPro D2France
Skip JongejanNetherlandsLK11/01/03AurillacPro D2France
Niek DoornenbalNetherlandsSH16/12/05ToulouseTop 14France
Jules SwierNetherlandsWG24/02/04AurillacPro D2France

Comment: Aurillac has now brought their total of Dutchmen in their squad to 9. Elsewhere Toine Obiang Nguema joined La Rochelle Espoirs.

 Poland (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Andrzej CharlatFranceWG31/12/94NicePro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (1)
Adam ZapędowskiPolandLKBordeaux-BèglesTop 14France

Comment: Charlat is promoted back to Pro D2 with Nice his fourth club in six seasons in the division, whilst Zapędowski stays at Bordeaux-Bègles Espoirs for a second season.

 Portugal (18)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Franciso FernandesFranceLH06/09/85BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Luka BegicFranceHK19/01/01Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Lucas Da SilvaFranceHK19/12/97BrivePro D2France
Anthony AlvèsFranceTH23/06/89Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Diogo FerreiraPortugalTH17/10/96DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Cody ThomasSouth AfricaTH01/03/96GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
José MadeiraPortugalLK19/03/01GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Nicolas MartinsFranceFL18/01/99MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l
Hugo CamachoFranceSH27/05/04BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Samuel MarquesFranceSH08/12/88BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Hugo AubryFranceFH28/01/03BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Joris MouraFranceFH07/05/00Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Rodrigo MartaPortugalWG18/11/99ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Lucas MartinsFranceWG16/01/03AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Vincent PintoFranceWG10/04/99ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Pierre SayerseFranceWG05/06/95Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Raffaele StortiPortugalWG19/02/00Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Simão BentoPortugalFB21/06/01Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (5)
Lucas FonsecaFranceLHBrivePro D2France
Martim SoutoPortugalTH14/04/05AurillacPro D2France
Diego FerreiraFranceLKBéziersPro D2France
Martin BentoFranceWGBrivePro D2France
Evan MonteiroFranceFBRacing 92Top 14France

Comment: Portugal has two new Top 14 players this season in World Cup stars Nicolas Martins and Raffaele Storti who both rise from Pro D2. Unfortunately though the only Top 14 player last season Pedro Bettencourt was forced to retire with concussions.

 Romania (6)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Ștefan BuruianăFranceHK03/03/03CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Gheorghe GajionMoldovaTH13/11/92Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Adrian MoțocRomaniaLK11/07/96BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Adrian MituFranceFL12/05/04AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Taylor GontineacFranceCT16/07/00BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Atila SeptarFranceCT02/06/96ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (3)
Lukas MituFranceHK26/03/04CastresTop 14France
Antonio MitreaRomaniaCT27/01/06AurillacPro D2France
Sebastien TofanRomaniaCT02/01/06PerpignanTop 14France

Comment: Buruiana and Adrian Mitu are two French raised Romanians who made their senior pro and internationals debuts this past year. Mitrea and Tofan are two now rare homegrown Romaniansto have won Espoirs contracts.

 Russia (3)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Georgy BalakarevRussiaHK04/04/02AngoulêmePro D2France
Kirill GotovtsevRussiaTH17/07/87GloucesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Nikoloz NarmaniaGeorgiaTH13/09/00BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (2)
Alexey KonnovRussiaLK10/09/03CastresTop 14France
Dmitry DromovRussiaN818/06/03CastresTop 14France

Comment: Andrei Ostrikov retired but there are still two Russian internationals in Pro D2 as Biarritz signed Nikoloz Narmania from Carcassonne. Alexey Konnov and Dmitry Dromov both remain at Castres after helping them reach the Espoirs final last season.

 Spain (18)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Santiago OvejeroArgentinaHK11/12/97NicePro D2FranceInt'l
Joel MerklerSpainTH25/10/01ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Hugo PirletFranceTH02/10/96ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Jon ZabalaSpainTH26/11/96PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Gautier GibouinFranceFL24/03/89AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Lucas GuillaumeFranceFL14/04/91DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Fred QuercyFranceFL06/07/91MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Asier UsarragaSpainFL31/12/94BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Manex AricetaSpainN820/03/04BayonneTop 14France
Brice FerrerFranceN812/04/94DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Ekain ImazSpainN807/12/02BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Kerman AurrekoetxeaSpainSH04/05/00BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Guillaume RouetFranceSH13/08/88BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Rudy DerrieuxFranceCT06/02/93NeversPro D2France
Martín AlonsoSpainWG02/12/99VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
Samu EzealaSpainWG11/12/99Stade FrançaisTop 14France
Gauthier MinguillonFranceWG03/03/94Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Charly MaliéFranceFB05/11/91BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Lucas PaulosSpainLK09/01/98BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (35)
Joan BarcenillaSpainLH
PerpignanTop 14France
Baptiste GualdaFranceLHColomiersPro D2France
Unax GoikoetxeaSpainLHBiarritzPro D2France
Arnau LópezSpainLHAngoulêmePro D2France
Bruno VagniSpainLHBiarritzPro D2France
Iván FaraceSpainHK10/09/06AgenPro D2France
Álvaro GarcíaSpainHK22/08/03Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Guido ReyesSpainTH18/07/05PauTop 14France
Nicolas BermejoFranceLKBéziersPro D2France
Antonio GámezSpainLK12/08/06ToulonTop 14France
Solomon IbeobaSpainLKBiarritzPro D2France
Adam LlinaresFranceLK22/09/04OyonnaxPro D2France
Ismael MillánSpainLKPerpignanTop 14France
Ignacio PiñeiroSpainLK04/01/03OyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Aleix RiberaSpainLKToulouseTop 14France
Joan RiberaSpainLK28/04/06ToulouseTop 14France
Gael AlmorinSpainFL27/04/05LyonTop 14France
Santiago LópezSpainFL28/03/07NicePro D2France
Markel OdriozolaSpainFLBiarritzPro D2France
Víctor OfojetuSpainFLClermontTop 14France
Jokin ZolezziFranceFL06/07/04BiarritzPro D2France
Oriol MarsinyacSpainN8ToulouseTop 14France
Álvaro MucenieksSpainSHPauTop 14France
Carlos de la FuenteSpainFHBayonneTop 14France
Pablo MonteroSpainFHToulouseTop 14France
Mateo AragónSpainCT01/05/06Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Alberto CarmonaSpainCT11/05/04ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Hugo PichardieSpainCT10/01/05ToulouseTop 14France
Oier ZabalbeaskoaSpainCTBiarritzPro D2France
Julien BurguillosFranceWG08/09/04MontpellierTop 14France
Alifa EscofetSpainWGPerpignanTop 14France
Telmo FisherSpainWGBayonneTop 14France
Juan Martín MontillaSpainWGClermontTop 14France
Beltrán OrtegaSpainWG13/01/05ClermontTop 14France
Lucien RichardisFranceFB28/03/05ToulouseTop 14France

Comment: Spain increased their number of kids in Espoirs setups in France considerably with now 36 U21 players with contracts which is up from around 25 last year. Only a few will graduate to play pro but it reflects increasing ambitions of Spanish youngsters.

 Switzerland (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Vincent VialFranceTH21/06/94Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Vial, who moved from Grenoble to Valence Romans in the summer, is the only Swiss international left in Pro D2 after Nicolas Mousties left Provence.

 Turkey
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Orhan AkbabaTurkeyTHOyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Akbaba became the first ever Turkish player to win a professional Espoirs contract when he signed for Oyonnax this summer.

Oceania

 Cook Islands (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Shahn EruNew ZealandLK20/09/89BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Tyrone ViigaAustraliaN809/06/92MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Eru and Viiga stay on this list for an 8th consecutive season. No more names are likely to be added any time soon as Cook Islands have become inactive in men's 15s rugby and for the first time since 1995 not participating in RWC qualifiers.
 
 Fiji (70)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Eroni MawiFijiLH02/06/96SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Sunia VolaFijiLH18/05/93NicePro D2France
Sam MatavesiEnglandHK13/01/92NorthamptonPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Peniami NarisiaFijiHK10/06/97OyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Luke TagiFijiTH23/06/97BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Johnny DyerFijiLK06/02/92BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Petero MailuluFijiLK26/07/02BéziersPro D2France
Temo MayanavanuaFijiLK09/11/97NorthamptonPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Sikeli NabouFijiLK05/03/88AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Leone NakarawaFijiLK04/02/88CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Tevita RatuvaFijiLK08/05/95BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Lekima TagitagivaluFijiLK04/12/95PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Setareki TuragacokeFijiLK12/06/06Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Levani BotiaFijiFL14/03/89La RochelleTop 14FranceInt'l
Ratu NacikaFijiFL13/12/94DaxPro D2France
Albert TuisueFijiFL06/06/93GloucesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Peceli YatoFijiFL17/01/93ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Sakiusa BaseiseiFijiN802/04/97ColomiersPro D2France
Masivesi DakuwaqaFijiN814/02/94MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l
Kitione KamikamicaFijiN827/04/96Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Viliame MataFijiN822/10/91BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Pio MuaruaFijiN828/06/96GrenoblePro D2France
Taniela SadruguFijiN825/07/98BrivePro D2France
Veresa TuqovuFijiN812/06/00OyonnaxPro D2FranceA
Ben VolavolaAustraliaFH13/01/91LeicesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Eto BainivaluFijiCT13/02/01ProvencePro D2France
Vilimoni BotituFijiCT15/06/98CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Rico BuliruaruaFijiCT23/01/97PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Adrea CocagiFijiCT01/03/94CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Seva GalalaFijiCT29/01/93MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Alivereti LoaloaFijiCT10/12/00NeversPro D2FranceA
Sireli MaqalaFijiCT20/03/00BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Ledua MauFijiCT16/02/93AngoulêmePro D2France
Apisai NaqalevuFijiCT21/08/89PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Waisea NayacalevuFijiCT26/06/90SalePremiershipEnglandInt'l
Ben NeiceruFijiCT29/01/93Valence RomansPro D2France
Christa PowellFijiCT21/01/97MontpellierTop 14France
Semi RadradraFijiCT13/06/92LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Kalaveti RavouvouFijiCT06/06/98BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Kolinio RamokaFijiCT24/06/94AgenPro D2France
Eddie SawailauFijiCT04/04/96OyonnaxPro D2France
Setariki TuicuvuFijiCT07/09/95ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Josua TuisovaFijiCT04/02/94Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Jale VatubuaFijiCT30/08/91DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Watisoni VotuFijiCT25/03/85BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Nacani WakayaFijiCT25/06/91Mont-de-MarsanPro D2France
Paula WalisolisoFijiCT01/04/97NeversPro D2France7s
Setareki BituniyataFijiWG12/08/95ToulouseTop 14France7s
Peniasi DakuwaqaFijiWG09/04/97Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Alivereti DuguivaluFijiWG21/07/97PerpignanTop 14France
Vinaya HabosiFijiWG30/01/00Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Semi LagivalaFijiWG06/04/03Mont-de-MarsanPro D2France
Mosese MawaluFijiWG08/07/93Valence RomansPro D2France7s
Wame NaituviFijiWG18/05/96Racing 92Top 14France
Filipo NakosiFijiWG08/04/92VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
Inoke NalagaFijiWG07/06/00AgenPro D2France
Jope NasearaFijiWG11/12/02DaxPro D2France
Ratu NaulagoFijiWG08/06/91BristolPremiershipEngland
Tevita RailevuFijiWG05/03/97BrivePro D2France
Josaia RaisuqeFijiWG22/07/94CastresTop 14France7s
Kaminieli RasakuFijiWG12/07/99GrenoblePro D2France7s
Onisi RataveFijiWG06/06/92BenettonURCItaly
Timilai RokoduruFijiWG21/01/93BrivePro D2France
Eroni SauFijiWG05/02/90Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Tomasi SeruFijiWG09/06/04La RochelleTop 14France
Aminiasi TuimabaFijiWG26/03/95BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Asaeli TuivuakaFijiWG22/12/95BrivePro D2France7s
Josua ViciFijiWG20/02/94MontaubanPro D2France7s
Jiuta WainiqoloFijiWG10/03/99ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Simeli YabakiFijiWG20/02/98AurillacPro D2France

Homegrown players capped by other countries (3)
Pita-Gus SowakulaFijiN826/10/94ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Alivereti RakaFijiWG09/12/94ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Tavite VeredamuFijiWG01/09/89PerpignanTop 14France7s

Yet to play first team rugby (19)
Atunaisa SokobaleFijiLH10/05/05CastresTop 14France
Daniel FeretiFijiTH07/05/02BrivePro D2France
Apisalome KuruisaqilaFijiLK23/02/02BéziersPro D2France
Semi RamacakeFijiLK31/03/03Valence RomansPro D2France
Nemani KuracakeFijiFL19/07/04AngoulêmePro D2France
Ronald SharmaFijiFL03/03/04PerpignanTop 14France
Mosese TabuakotoFijiFL05/03/06Stade FrançaisTop 14France
Max LestroFijiN808/06/02BrivePro D2France
Josateki TuitabaFijiN826/06/01NeversPro D2FranceA
Jioji KoroinawaiFijiWGNeversPro D2France
Aisake MannaFijiWG20/04/06Stade FrançaisTop 14France
Sireli MasiwiniFijiWG19/11/03BéziersPro D2France
Avakuki NiusalelekitogaFijiWG25/07/05AngoulêmePro D2France
Ian RatuFijiWG22/10/03Mont-de-MarsanPro D2France
Tevita SabolaFijiWG13/01/03Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Setareki ToganiyadravaFijiWGPerpignanTop 14France
Tomasi TuitatavaFijiWG23/05/04OyonnaxTop 14France
Viliame TutuvuliFijiWG10/10/01ClermontTop 14France
Peni VuetimaiwaiFijiWG15/03/06La RochelleTop 14France

Comment: Fiji has largely the same list as last year and still the largest pool of Europe based pros although Georgia now has just as many in Top 14 or Pro D2.

 Samoa (26)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Seilala LamAustraliaHK18/02/89PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Motu Matu'uNew ZealandHK30/04/87AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Luteru TolaiNew ZealandHK01/06/98BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Michael Ala'alatoaAustraliaTH28/08/91ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Paul Alo-EmileAustraliaTH22/12/91Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Marco Fepulea'iNew ZealandTH25/04/95ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Titi LamositeleUSATH11/02/95HarlequinsPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Nephi LeatigagaNew ZealandTH05/12/93DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Tietie TuimaugaSamoaTH05/08/93MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Brian Alainu'ueseNew ZealandLK19/03/94ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Piula Fa'asaleleNew ZealandLK22/01/88BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Brandon NansenNew ZealandLK03/11/93GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Senio ToleafoaAustraliaLK26/08/93NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Josh TyrellNew ZealandLK16/10/90ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l
Steven LuatuaNew ZealandFL29/04/91BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Theo McFarlandSamoaFL16/10/95SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
So'otala Fa'aso'oNew ZealandN802/10/94PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Fritz LeeSamoaN829/08/88ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Genesis MameaNew ZealandN822/09/88DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Jordan TaufuaNew ZealandN829/01/92NicePro D2FranceInt'l
Tim Nanai-WilliamsNew ZealandFH12/06/89BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Rey Lee-LoNew ZealandCT20/02/86CardiffURCWalesInt'l
Tumua ManuSamoaCT18/04/93PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Elijah NikoNew ZealandCT11/09/90AurillacPro D2France7s
Duncan Paia'auaAustraliaCT20/01/95ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Ulupano SeuteniAustraliaCT09/12/93La RochelleTop 14FranceInt'l
 
Comment: Samoa's Europe based pool of players continues to shrink, going down from 38 last year to 26. Only one of those players is aged under 29.

 Tonga (26)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Feao FotuaikaAustraliaLH23/04/93LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Wesley TapuelueluTongaLH03/12/99BrivePro D2France
Sione Anga'aelangiAustraliaHK07/11/88NicePro D2FranceInt'l
Siua MaileTongaHK18/02/97BenettonURCItalyInt'l
Phil KiteAustraliaTH24/04/93VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
David LoloheaAustraliaTH26/02/92DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Toma TaufaTongaTH09/03/95Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l
Ben TameifunaNew ZealandTH30/08/91Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l
Siate TokolahiTongaTH16/03/92PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Sam LousiNew ZealandLK20/07/91ScarletsURCWalesInt'l
Veikoso PoloniatiNew ZealandLK27/08/95BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Tomasi FineanganofoTongaFL14/04/03AgenPro D2France
Tanginoa HalaifonuaTongaFL20/09/96Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Michael FaleafaNew ZealandN803/02/92Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Vaea FifitaTongaN817/06/92ScarletsURCWalesInt'l
Solomone FunakiTongaN825/04/94DragonsURCWalesInt'l
Sione KalamafoniTongaN818/05/88VannesTop 14FranceInt'l
Fotu LokotuiTongaN819/03/92AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Sione VailanuTongaN827/01/95GlasgowURCScotlandInt'l
Pita AhkiNew ZealandCT24/09/92ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Malakai FekitoaTongaCT10/05/92BenettonURCItalyInt'l
Solomone KataTongaCT03/12/94LeicesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Atu ManuNew ZealandCT24/07/98NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
George MoalaNew ZealandCT05/11/90ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Fetuli PaeaTongaCT16/08/94ZebreURCItalyInt'l
Anzelo TuitavukiNew ZealandWG10/10/98ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (3)
Tevita TatafuTongaTH13/10/02BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Sitaleki TimaniTongaLK19/09/86BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Tevita TatafuTongaN802/01/96Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Tonga now has only one Premiership player left as opportunities for "Tier 2" internationals in England have dropped significantly in recent years.