Monday, 20 November 2023

Players from 'Tier 2' nations playing in Europe (2023/2024)

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, Vaea Fifita, Eli Snyman 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 (7)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Issam HamelFranceHK18/06/97BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Yassin BoutemanniFranceTH12/07/90AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Johan AliouatFranceLK22/01/93BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Mehdi SlamaniFranceLK19/12/01AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Saïd HirecheFranceFL27/05/85BrivePro D2France
Yassine JarmouniFranceN815/03/95AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Nadir MegdoudFranceWG26/03/97BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (1)
Adam MoulahyaFranceHKBrivePro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Algeria has mostly the same set of internationals in Top 14 or Pro D2 as last season, even if a couple of players Issam Hamel and Nadir Megdoud have changed clubs.

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

Comment: With Evrard Oulai moving to Albi and dropping down a division to Nationale, Ivory Coast no longer has any homegrown players in Top 14 or Pro D2, but do still have one international with Alexandre Pilati getting promoted with Dax.

 Kenya
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Josh WeruEnglandLK03/10/03DaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: After being released by Northampton due to playing international rugby for Kenya making him non-English qualified, fortunately Josh Weru found an Espoirs contract at Dax and has moved young enough that he can qualify as JIFF after three seasons.

 Madagascar
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Luca GaboriauMadagascarWG20/04/04Stade FrançaisTop 14France

Comment: Gaboriau moved this season to Stade Français Espoirs after three years at La Rochelle. He has featured in 7s events, but not started regularly at Espoirs level, so chance of him becoming first Madagascan to play senior pro rugby at this point seem unlikely.
 
 Morocco (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Yassine MaamryFranceLK08/07/93Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Karim QadiriFranceWG16/02/96GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Morocco now has just two internationals in Pro D2 after Mohmed Loukia dropped down a division after 67 games in five seasons at Provence. No new names are likely to enter this list with Morocco not having played a test since 2018.

 Namibia (3)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Torsten van JaarsveldSouth AfricaHK30/06/87Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Patrick SchickerlingNamibiaTH16/10/98ExeterPremiershipEngland
Tjiuee UaniviNamibiaLK31/12/90MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (2)
Herman CoetzeeNamibiaTH08/04/04Racing 92Top 14France
Riaan GrovéNamibiaLK04/04/03AurillacPro D2France

Comment: Namibia now is down to just two internationals playing in Pro D2, whilst their only homegrown player in an elite league doesn't want to play for them. They did have a new prop from their U20 side win an Espoirs contract at Racing 92 this summer though.

 Senegal (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Abdelkarim FofanaFranceN816/02/96RouenPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: After Massy's relegation with Fernandez Correa, the only Senegalese international left in Pro D2 is Abdelkarim Fofana in his third season at Rouen.

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

Comment: As has been the case for years Taieb is the only Tunisian in Pro D2, and as Tunisia has not played a test since 2018 there is no prospect of any new names entering this list.

 Zimbabwe (7)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Lovejoy ChawatamaZimbabweTH26/08/92HarlequinsPremiershipEngland
Michael KumbiraiSouth AfricaTH09/05/96AngoulêmePro D2France
Cleopas KundionaZimbabweTH15/12/98NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Farai MudarikiSouth AfricaTH13/02/95NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Darrien LandsbergSouth AfricaLK26/07/98LionsURCSouth Africa
Jason FraserSouth AfricaN815/04/91NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
TJ MaguranyangaZimbabweWG22/12/02Valence RomansPro D2France

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

Yet to play first team rugby (3)
Stanley MuranganwaZimbabweTHAurillacPro D2France
Shingirai ManyararaZimbabweN824/02/04Racing 92Top 14France
Tadiwa ChikutiroZimbabweCT01/02/05AurillacPro D2France

Comment: The notable new addition to this list is the star prospect Zimbabwe U20 captain Manyarara who won an Espoirs contract at Racing 92. Bulawayo lock Mike Williams departed to the Japanese third division after 10 seasons in the Premiership in England.

Americas

 Canada (5)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Matt TierneyCanadaTH04/07/96CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
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 is down to just five players in pro rugby in Europe after Will Percillier and Taylor Paris both retired. None of these pros feature much with the national team any more, and Duguid strangely still remains uncapped.

 Chile (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Iñaki AyarzaChileCT07/09/99AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (3)
Bruno SáezChileLK27/10/04AngoulêmePro D2France
Lucas BertiChileSH12/12/03MontpellierTop 14France
Juan NoriegaChileCT12/01/03AngoulêmePro D2France

Comment: 2m tall lock Sáez, who made Chile's wider RWC training squad at age just 18, has joined Ayarza and Noriega at Angoulême. Lucas Berti has converted from centre to scrum half at Montpellier Espoirs, but as of now does not want to ever play for Los Condores. 

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

Comment: Zafra lost his place in the regular starting team at Brive and has now moved to Provence in Pro D2 after 85 games over the past five seasons in Top 14. No sign of any other Colombians following his path to France with Tucanes progress hit badly by the pandemic.

 Uruguay (4)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Germán KesslerUruguayHK01/07/94AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Manuel LeindekarUruguayLK23/04/97BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Santiago ArataUruguaySH02/09/96CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Andrés VilasecaUruguayCT08/05/91VannesPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (1)
Arturo Ten HoeverFranceN815/01/04RouenPro D2France

Comment: No new entries to this list which is one fewer than last year after Nicolás Freitas left Vannes. Kessler moving from Provence back to Angoulême, and U20 back row Ten Hoever from Montpellier Espoirs to Rouen both changed clubs in the off season.

 USA (7)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
David AinuuUSALH20/11/99ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Kapeli PifeletiEnglandHK01/09/99SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Mike Sosene-FeagaiNew ZealandHK17/04/93AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Roman SalanoaUSATH28/10/97MunsterURCIreland
Nafi MaafuUSALK18/06/98BiarritzPro D2France
Oscar LennonWalesSH15/05/00BristolPremiershipEngland
Aj MacGintyIrelandFH26/02/90BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l

Homegrown players capped by other countries (1)
Titi LamositeleUSATH11/02/95MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (3)
Mikaea WynyardUSALK13/07/03La RochelleTop 14France
Makeen AlikhanEnglandFL10/10/01HarlequinsPremiershipEngland
Waisea BainibureUSAWGAngoulêmePro D2France

Comment: USA is down from 10 to 4 active internationals left playing pro in Europe with Joe Taufete'e and Ruben de Haas both departing, whilst Lamositele switched to Samoa. Only new entry is Waisea Bainibure from California who joined Angoulême Espoirs.

Asia

 Japan (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Tevita TatafuTongaN802/01/96Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Tatafu becomes just the sixth Japanese international to play Top 14 after Yoshida, Ohata, Goromaru, Hino, and Matsushima. After criticism over his weight and missing RWC 2023 he will hope to relaunch his career and fulfil his big potential. 

Europe

 Belgium (5)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Charlesty BerguetBelgiumLH13/01/00VannesPro D2FranceInt'l
Gillian BenoyBelgiumFL08/05/95BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Jean-Maurice DecubberFranceFL10/09/96VannesPro D2FranceInt'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 (5)
Maurice FromontBelgiumLK
VannesPro D2France
Christoph BrysBelgiumFL12/12/02NeversPro D2France
Théo AdabaBelgiumCT13/02/03MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Florian RemueBelgiumCT07/03/03ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Matias RemueBelgiumFB07/03/03ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: All the same names as last year. Only change to note is Decubber has upgraded club to leave relegated Massy and join Berguet at Top 14 promotion hopefuls Vannes.

 Denmark
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Carl VangsgaardDenmarkLK12/04/01Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: In his third season in France, Vangsgaard is at a make or break stage of his career as he attempts to reach senior level and become the first ever Dane to play pro rugby.

 Georgia (62)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Nika AbuladzeGeorgiaLH20/08/95ExeterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Sergo AbramishviliGeorgiaLH20/11/03Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Giorgi AkhaladzeGeorgiaLH13/04/99BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Guram GogichashviliGeorgiaLH04/09/98Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Luka GoginavaGeorgiaLH04/10/96GrenoblePro D2France
Vasil KakovinGeorgiaLH01/12/89Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Lekso KaulashviliGeorgiaLH27/08/92Bordeaux-BèglesTop 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
Vakh AbdaladzeIrelandLH06/02/96BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Irakli AptsiauriGeorgiaTH23/02/03GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Luka AzariashviliGeorgiaTH30/11/99RouenPro D2France
Soso BekoshviliGeorgiaTH03/11/93RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Mirian BurduliGeorgiaTH06/01/91MontaubanPro D2France
Levan ChilachavaGeorgiaTH17/08/91CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Giorgi DzmanashviliGeorgiaTH16/06/02ClermontTop 14France
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 MacharashviliGeorgiaTH13/11/98MontpellierTop 14France
Davit MchedlidzeGeorgiaTH10/08/04ToulonTop 14France
Giorgi MelikidzeGeorgiaTH24/05/96Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Irakli MirtskhulavaGeorgiaTH22/12/88OyonnaxTop 14FranceInt'l
Guram PapidzeGeorgiaTH16/06/97PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Lasha PkhakdzeGeorgiaTH07/12/03NeversPro D2France
Lasha TabidzeGeorgiaTH04/07/97BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Luka TchelidzeGeorgiaTH01/08/00BéziersPro D2France
Badri TsikhistaviGeorgiaTH24/07/03BayonneTop 14France
Khvicha TsopurashviliFranceTH02/02/00RouenPro D2France
Lado ChachanidzeGeorgiaLK14/05/00NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Lasha JaianiGeorgiaLK21/04/98NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Giorgi JavakhiaGeorgiaLK24/09/96GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Kote MikautadzeGeorgiaLK01/07/91BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Aleksandre BurduliGeorgiaFL12/02/02AurillacPro D2France
Beqa SaginadzeGeorgiaFL29/10/98LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Beka ShvangiradzeGeorgiaFL12/06/02AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Irakli TskhadadzeGeorgiaFL01/08/96AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Giorgi TsutskiridzeFranceFL26/11/96Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Otia GiorgadzeGeorgiaN802/03/96MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Beka GorgadzeGeorgiaN808/02/96PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Ioane IashagashviliGeorgiaN823/04/00Valence RomansPro D2France
Tornike JalagoniaGeorgiaN812/12/98BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Mikheil AlaniaGeorgiaSH19/11/00AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Gela AprasidzeGeorgiaSH14/01/98BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Vasil LobzhanidzeGeorgiaSH14/10/96ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Tedo AbzhandadzeGeorgiaFH13/06/99MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Georges ShvelidzeFranceCT26/10/03BrivePro D2France
Dachi PapunashviliGeorgiaWG20/10/01AurillacPro D2France
Davit NiniashviliGeorgiaFB14/07/02LyonTop 14FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (36)
Nika GogoladzeGeorgiaLHColomiersPro D2France
Onise IoselianiGeorgiaLHAurillacPro D2France
Luka KotorashviliGeorgiaLH20/06/04MontpellierTop 14France
Luka UngiadzeGeorgiaLHNeversPro D2France
Merab MatcharashviliGeorgiaHK18/03/02PerpignanTop 14France
Nika SutidzeGeorgiaHK01/09/03La RochelleTop 14France
Irakli UsubianiGeorgiaHK22/02/05ClermontTop 14France
Beka BeridzeGeorgiaTHAngoulêmePro D2France
Nika BeroshviliGeorgiaTHAngoulêmePro D2France
Levan EzieshviliGeorgiaTHClermontTop 14France
Davit GvelesianiGeorgiaTH24/01/02ProvencePro D2France
Davit MchedlishviliGeorgiaTHGrenoblePro D2France
Nodar ShengeliaGeorgiaTH11/08/02AurillacPro D2France
Giga TutisaniGeorgiaTH03/02/04ClermontTop 14France
Davit ArveladzeGeorgiaLK15/11/02OyonnaxPro D2France
Guga GaniashviliGeorgiaLK30/01/03GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Levan KepuladzeGeorgiaLK13/02/05Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Otar KintsurashviliGeorgiaLK06/07/03AngoulêmePro D2France
Gigi KurkhuliGeorgiaLK02/04/03ProvencePro D2France
Davit LagvilavaGeorgiaLKGrenoblePro D2France
Kakha ShekiladzeGeorgiaLKAurillacPro D2France
Tornike BaikhoidzeGeorgiaFLAngoulêmePro D2France
Luka KikvadzeGeorgiaFL23/10/04AurillacPro D2France
Luka SaginadzeGeorgiaFLLyonTop 14France
Nikoloz SakvarelidzeFranceFL15/08/03AurillacPro D2France
Lasha TsikhistaviGeorgiaFL24/07/03BayonneTop 14France
Rati ZazadzeGeorgiaFL27/06/03NeversPro D2France
Nika ChkhortoliaGeorgiaN8ClermontTop 14France
Giorgi GergedavaGeorgiaN823/03/04ClermontTop 14France
Nika LomidzeGeorgiaN822/01/04BayonneTop 14France
Luka SuluashviliGeorgiaN823/10/04AurillacPro D2France
Davit KhuroshviliGeorgiaSH02/11/03ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Mathis ModebadzeFranceSH24/06/03MontpellierTop 14France
Petre KhutsishviliGeorgiaFH10/01/03AurillacPro D2France
Nicolas RagoeviFranceCT19/12/03NeversPro D2France
Luka KhorbaladzeGeorgiaWG10/03/04LyonTop 14France

Comment: After sustained junior success Georgians are winning French Espoirs contracts in record numbers. Now 96 Georgians in total at Top 14 or Pro D2 clubs, and of them 88 are JIFF or on course to be if they stay three years, with 51 of them being U22 players.

 Germany (6)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Julius NostadtGermanyLH12/10/92ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l
Eric MarksGermanyLK09/12/96VannesPro D2FranceInt'l
Oskar RixenGermanyLK09/12/02BrivePro D2France
Tim MenzelGermanySH01/01/92Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Chris HilsenbeckGermanyFH10/01/92BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Maxime OltmannFranceWG28/12/95DaxPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (4)
Johannes PolomskyGermanyLHStade FrançaisTop 14France
Karl KasperGermanyLKStade FrançaisTop 14France
Émile BlondinFranceFLGrenoblePro D2France
Edward JumatateGermanyFBStade FrançaisTop 14France

Comment: Germany has two more players in Pro D2 this season as Menzel and Oltmann both got promoted back up a level from Nationale. All the German pros in France have remained inactive at international level in recent years.

 Hungary
Yet to play first team rugby (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Kade ZsomborHungaryLK28/06/04RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Kade ZalánHungaryCT09/03/06RouenPro D2France

Comment: Hungary has a pair of brothers at Rouen Espoirs hoping to make it as pros. Bence Róth at Bourg-en-Bresse is the only Hungarian to have done so in the past.

 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: With Vadim Cobilas retiring and Dmitri Arhip injured and clubless, Ojovan is the only Moldovan left in an elite league. Their Union never recovered from their crash several years ago and seems unlikely any more join him soon.

 Netherlands (9)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Teun KarstNetherlandsLK12/12/04BrivePro D2France
Renger van EertenNetherlandsLK02/08/99BrivePro D2France
Tim de JongNetherlandsFL03/03/02AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Hugo HuurmanNetherlandsFL21/05/01AurillacPro D2France
Boris HadinegoroNetherlandsSH08/03/03AurillacPro D2France
Willie du PlessisSouth AfricaFH05/06/90Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Juun PietersNetherlandsCT09/05/01AurillacPro D2France
Bart WierengaNetherlandsWG26/08/99Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Peter LydonIrelandFB19/10/92RouenPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (8)
Floris VersteegFranceLH
NeversPro D2France
Thymo PetersNetherlandsTH11/02/03Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Skip JongejanNetherlandsLK11/01/03AurillacPro D2France
Walter KloezemanNetherlandsLK20/04/03NeversPro D2France
Jack SlobNetherlandsFLClermontTop 14France
Niek DoornenbalNetherlandsSH16/12/05ToulouseTop 14France
Ilan VaasenNetherlandsCT25/04/05ToulouseTop 14France
Jules SwierNetherlandsWG24/02/04Valence RomansPro D2France

Comment: Despite steady improvement at youth levels there are no new Dutch Espoirs this year. However they are starting to have success graduating to senior level with Huurman, Pieters, Hadinegoro, and van Eerten all getting increased game time in Pro D2.

 Poland
Yet to play first team rugby (1)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Adam ZapędowskiPolandLKBordeaux-BèglesTop 14France

Comment: Zapędowski, a hugely built lock known as "byka" (bull) who won a call up to the senior Poland training squad age just 17, has now won a 3 year Espoirs contract at Bordeaux as he hopes to become second homegrown Pole in Top 14 after Grzegorz Kacała.

 Portugal (19)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Franciso FernandesFranceLH06/09/85BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Lucas Da SilvaFranceHK19/12/97BrivePro D2France
Anthony AlvèsFranceTH23/06/89Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Alex Dos SantosFranceTH14/08/01AurillacPro D2France
Diogo FerreiraPortugalTH17/10/96DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Cody ThomasSouth AfricaTH01/03/96RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
José MadeiraPortugalLK19/03/01GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Nicolas MartinsFranceFL18/01/99AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Diego Pinheiro RuizFranceFL01/09/03GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Hugo CamachoFranceSH27/05/04BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Samuel MarquesFranceSH08/12/88BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Hugo AubryFranceFH28/01/03RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Joris MouraFranceFH07/05/00Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l
Pedro BettencourtPortugalCT18/11/94OyonnaxTop 14FranceInt'l
Simão BentoPortugalWG21/06/01Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Rodrigo MartaPortugalWG18/11/99ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Vincent PintoFranceWG10/04/99ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Pierre SayerseFranceWG05/06/95Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Raffaele StortiPortugalWG19/02/00BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (8)
Lucas FonsecaFranceLHBrivePro D2France
Martim SoutoPortugalTH14/04/05MontaubanPro D2France
Boaventura AlmeidaPortugalLK18/04/01PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Aurélien DominguesFranceLKBrivePro D2France
Diego FerreiraFranceLKCastresTop 14France
Clément RibeiroFranceFL22/03/02RouenPro D2France
Martin BentoFranceWGBrivePro D2France
Evan MonteiroFranceFBRacing 92Top 14France

Comment: Portugal now has 12 capped internationals in Pro D2 with Ferreira, Moura, and Marta all rising from playing Nationale last season. Following Oyonnax's promotion Bettencourt is their only player playing Top 14 with Mike Tadjer retiring.

 Romania (6)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Ștefan BuruianăFranceHK03/03/03CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Thomas CrețuFranceTH05/03/02AurillacPro D2FranceInt'l
Gheorghe GajionMoldovaTH13/11/92Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Adrian MoțocRomaniaLK11/07/96BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Taylor GontineacFranceCT16/07/00RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Atila SeptarFranceCT02/06/96ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (3)
Lukas MituFranceHK26/03/04CastresTop 14France
Adrian MituFranceFL12/05/04PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Toni MafteiFranceWG09/05/03AurillacPro D2France7s

Comment: After Alexandru Țăruș left Rouen, Moțoc is now the only homegrown Romanian left in Pro D2. No new homegrown name has been added to this list in years, with half the players at Top 14 or Pro D2 clubs now sons of former Oaks who settled in France as pros.

 Russia (3)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Georgy BalakarevRussiaHK04/04/02AngoulêmePro D2France
Kirill GotovtsevRussiaTH17/07/87GloucesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Andrei OstrikovRussiaLK02/07/87Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l

Yet to play first team rugby (3)
Ivan BeskovRussiaTH05/05/03AurillacPro D2France
Alexey KonnovRussiaLK18/06/03CastresTop 14France
Dmitry DromovRussiaN818/06/03CastresTop 14France

Comment: Only change to this list from last season is no Valery Morozov who was a casualty of English clubs going bust. All four Espoirs remain and soon to become JIFF, but with Russia banned from internationals unlikely any new names added to this list for years.

 Spain (19)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Toti Benz-SalomonEnglandLH17/03/01BristolPremiershipEngland
Ximun BessonartFranceLH15/02/97VannesPro D2FranceInt'l
Jono Benz-SalomonEnglandTH17/03/01BristolPremiershipEngland
Joel MerklerSpainTH25/10/01ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Jon ZabalaSpainTH26/11/96BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Manex AricetaSpainLK20/03/04BayonneTop 14France
Gautier GibouinFranceFL24/03/89AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Fred QuercyFranceFL06/07/91MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Asier UsarragaSpainFL31/12/94CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
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
Fabien PerrinFranceCT16/08/88ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Martín AlonsoSpainWG02/12/99VannesPro D2FranceInt'l
Samu EzealaSpainWG11/12/99PauTop 14France
Charly MaliéFranceFB05/11/91BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Gauthier MinguillonFranceFB03/03/94Valence RomansPro D2FranceInt'l

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

Yet to play first team rugby (24)
Rafael CayuelaFranceLH
BayonneTop 14France
Baptiste GualdaFranceLH
ColomiersPro D2France
Álvaro GarcíaSpainHK22/08/03Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Pau MassoniSpainHKBrivePro D2France
Guido ReyesSpainTH18/07/05PauTop 14France
Matéo TornelFranceTH11/02/04ToulonTop 14France
Maxim ErmakovSpainLK03/10/03MontpellierTop 14France
Ignacio PiñeiroSpainLK04/01/03OyonnaxTop 14FranceInt'l
Joan RiberaSpainLKToulouseTop 14France
Víctor OfojetuSpainFLClermontTop 14France
Jokin ZolezziFranceFL06/07/04BiarritzPro D2France
Oriol MarsinyacSpainN8ToulouseTop 14France
Carlos de la FuenteSpainFHBayonneTop 14France
Beau PeartNew ZealandFH16/12/03MontaubanPro D2France
Lucien RichardisFranceFH28/03/05ToulouseTop 14France
Julien BurguillosFranceCT08/09/04MontpellierTop 14France
Dani CatanzaroSpainCT19/09/03CastresTop 14France
Juan Martín MontillaSpainCTClermontTop 14France
Mathias OrtizFranceCT26/04/03Stade FrançaisTop 14France
Hugo PichardieSpainCT10/01/05ToulouseTop 14France
Mateo AragónSpainWG01/05/06Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Alberto CarmonaSpainWG11/05/04ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Beltrán OrtegaSpainWG13/01/05ClermontTop 14France
Pelayo SerranoSpainWGToulouseTop 14France

Comment: Now a world top 12 ranked U20 team, Spain has a decent number of Espoirs in France. Of them Merkler and Imaz made senior debuts last season. However scarcely persuaded any new eligible French Top/Pro D2 pros to join the team in recent years.

 Switzerland (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Vincent VialFranceTH21/06/94GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Nicolas MoustiesFranceFL25/05/98ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Only change from last season is Ahmed Kane, who in 2022 nearly became first homegrown Swiss player in Top 14 when he sat on the bench for Lyon but didn't get on the field, has now moved to Chambéry in Nationale to get more game time.

Oceania

 Cook Islands (2)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Shahn EruNew ZealandLK20/09/89PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Tyrone ViigaAustraliaN809/06/92MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l

Comment: Eru and Viiga are now both into their 7th season playing in France. Cook Islands have played just one test since 2018 and unlikely any new names added to this list soon.

 Fiji (74)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Eroni MawiFijiLH02/06/96SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Sam MatavesiEnglandHK13/01/92NorthamptonPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Peniami NarisiaFijiHK10/06/97Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Luke TagiFijiTH23/06/97BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Johnny DyerFijiLK06/02/92BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Petero MailuluFijiLK26/07/02BéziersPro D2France
Joeli MatalaweruFijiLK12/01/01BrivePro D2France
Temo MayanavanuaFijiLK09/11/97NorthamptonPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Sikeli NabouFijiLK05/03/88AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Leone NakarawaFijiLK04/02/88CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Taniela RamasibanaFijiLK18/12/00PerpignanTop 14FranceA
Tevita RatuvaFijiLK08/05/95BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Lekima TagitagivaluFijiLK04/12/95PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Levani BotiaFijiFL14/03/89La RochelleTop 14FranceInt'l
Masivesi DakuwaqaFijiFL14/02/94MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l
Ratu NacikaFijiFL13/12/94DaxPro D2France
Joseva TamaniFijiFL02/04/97ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Peceli YatoFijiFL17/01/93ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Kitione KamikamicaFijiN827/04/96Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Viliame MataFijiN822/10/91EdinburghURCScotlandInt'l
Pio MuaruaFijiN828/06/96GrenoblePro D2France
Taniela SadruguFijiN825/07/98BrivePro D2France
Albert TuisueFijiN806/06/93GloucesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Veresa TuqovuFijiN812/06/00Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceA
Ben VolavolaAustraliaFH13/01/91AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Eto BainivaluFijiCT13/02/01ProvencePro D2France
Ilikena BolakoroFijiCT22/08/87DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Vilimoni BotituFijiCT15/06/98CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Rico BuliruaruaFijiCT23/01/97BayonneTop 14FranceInt'l
Adrea CocagiFijiCT01/03/94CastresTop 14France
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
Nasoni NaqiriFijiCT30/07/93AngoulêmePro D2France
Waisea NayacalevuFijiCT26/06/90ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Ben NeiceruFijiCT29/01/93Valence RomansPro D2France
Christa PowellFijiCT21/01/97AurillacPro D2France
Semi RadradraFijiCT13/06/92LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Kalaveti RavouvouFijiCT06/06/98BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Kolinio RamokaFijiCT24/06/94AgenPro D2France
Eddie SawailauFijiCT04/04/96PerpignanTop 14France
Akuila TabualevuFijiCT02/10/94AngoulêmePro D2France
Inia TabuavouFijiCT31/08/02Racing 92Top 14France
Setariki TuicuvuFijiCT07/09/95ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Josua TuisovaFijiCT04/02/94Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Jale VatubuaFijiCT30/08/91PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Watisoni VotuFijiCT25/03/85BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Nacani WakayaFijiCT25/06/91Mont-de-MarsanPro D2France
Paula WalisolisoFijiCT01/04/97BrivePro D2France7s
Setareki BituniyataFijiWG12/08/95ToulouseTop 14France7s
Peniasi DakuwaqaFijiWG09/04/97Stade FrançaisTop 14France
Alivereti DuguivaluFijiWG21/07/97PerpignanTop 14France
Vinaya HabosiFijiWG30/01/00Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Semi LagivalaFijiWG06/04/03Mont-de-MarsanPro D2France
Benito MasilevuFijiWG07/10/89RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Mosese MawaluFijiWG08/07/93Valence RomansPro D2France7s
Wame NaituviFijiWG18/05/96Racing 92Top 14France
Filipo NakosiFijiWG08/04/92CastresTop 14FranceInt'l
Inoke NalagaFijiWG07/06/00AgenPro D2France
Jope NasearaFijiWG11/12/02DaxPro D2France
Ratu NaulagoFijiWG08/06/91BristolPremiershipEngland
Tevita RailevuFijiWG05/03/97AgenPro D2France
Josaia RaisuqeFijiWG22/07/94CastresTop 14France7s
Onisi RataveFijiWG06/06/92BenettonURCItaly
Timilai RokoduruFijiWG21/01/93AgenPro D2France
Eroni SauFijiWG05/02/90Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Aminiasi TuimabaFijiWG26/03/95PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Asaeli TuivuakaFijiWG22/12/95BrivePro D2France7s
Josua ViciFijiWG20/02/94MontaubanPro D2France7s
Jiuta WainiqoloFijiWG10/03/99ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Osea WaqaFijiWG22/04/00CastresTop 14FranceA
Simeli YabakiFijiWG20/02/98AurillacPro D2France

Homegrown players called up by other countries (7)
Pita-Gus SowakulaFijiN826/10/94ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Sefa NaivaluFijiCT07/01/92Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Virimi VakatawaFijiCT01/05/92BristolPremiershipFranceInt'l
Alivereti RakaFijiWG09/12/94ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Joe RavouvouFijiWG21/03/91OyonnaxTop 14France7s
Semesi RokoduguniFijiWG28/08/87MontaubanPro D2FranceInt'l
Tavite VeredamuFijiWG01/09/89PerpignanTop 14France7s

Yet to play first team rugby (22)
Daniel FeretiFijiTH07/05/02BrivePro D2France
Apisalome KuruisaqilaFijiLK23/02/02BéziersPro D2France
Sateki NabonuFijiLKNeversPro D2France
Semi RamacakeFijiLK31/03/03Valence RomansPro D2France
Setareki TuragacokeFijiLKStade FrançaisTop 14France
Janeiro WakehamFijiLK14/03/03Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceA
Atunaisa SokobaleFijiFL10/05/05CastresTop 14France
Max LestroFijiN808/06/02BrivePro D2France
Ronald SharmaFijiN8PerpignanTop 14France
Josateki TuitabaFijiN826/06/01NeversPro D2FranceA
Erami BacaFijiCTNeversPro D2France
Tomasi SeruFijiCT09/06/04La RochelleTop 14France
Vilimoni SeruFijiCT08/01/01NeversPro D2France
Tomasi TuitatavaFijiCT23/05/04OyonnaxTop 14France
Tevita BoseiwaqaFijiWG31/08/02BéziersPro D2France
Jioji KoroinawaiFijiWGNeversPro D2France
Sevuloni LutuFijiWG17/06/01BéziersPro D2France
Ian RatuFijiWG22/10/03Mont-de-MarsanPro D2France
Tevita SabolaFijiWG13/01/03Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14France
Setareki ToganiyadravaFijiWGPerpignanTop 14France
Viliame TutuvuliFijiWG10/10/01ClermontTop 14France
Peni VuetimaiwaiFijiWGLa RochelleTop 14France

Comment: The Drua pathway emerging so far has had no impact on numbers of Fijians playing in Europe, in fact there was a resurgence in youngsters signing Espoirs contracts in the summer with 10 new faces nearly doubling number of U21 players there were last year.

 Samoa (38)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Logovi'i MulipolaSamoaLH11/03/87SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Aki SeiuliNew ZealandLH22/12/92DragonsURCWalesInt'l
Elia EliaNew ZealandHK22/01/96NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Seilala LamAustraliaHK18/02/89PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Manu LeiatauaNew ZealandHK26/12/86OyonnaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Motu Matu'uNew ZealandHK30/04/87AngoulêmePro D2FranceInt'l
Luteru TolaiNew ZealandHK01/06/98BiarritzPro D2FranceInt'l
Michael Ala'alatoaAustraliaTH28/08/91LeinsterURCIrelandInt'l
Paul Alo-EmileAustraliaTH22/12/91Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Marco Fepulea'iNew ZealandTH25/04/95ColomiersPro D2FranceInt'l
Titi LamositeleUSATH11/02/95MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'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 ZealandLK22/01/88ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Mat LuamanuNew ZealandLK04/03/88DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Brandon NansenNew ZealandLK03/11/93GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Senio ToleafoaAustraliaLK26/08/93NeversPro D2FranceInt'l
Josh TyrellNew ZealandLK16/10/90ProvencePro D2FranceInt'l
Chris VuiNew ZealandLK11/02/93BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Steven LuatuaNew ZealandFL29/04/91BristolPremiershipEnglandInt'l
Theo McFarlandSamoaFL16/10/95SaracensPremiershipEnglandInt'l
So'otala Fa'aso'oNew ZealandN802/10/94PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Tala GrayAustraliaN828/02/90GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Giovanni KueffnerNew ZealandN809/01/95Stade FrançaisTop 14France
Fritz LeeSamoaN829/08/88ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Genesis MameaNew ZealandN822/09/88DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Henry StowersNew ZealandN803/03/95BenettonURCItalyInt'l
Jordan TaufuaNew ZealandN829/01/92LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Tim Nanai-WilliamsNew ZealandFH12/06/89BéziersPro D2FranceInt'l
Rey Lee-LoNew ZealandCT20/02/86CardiffURCWalesInt'l
Alex LuatuaNew ZealandCT14/05/92RouenPro D2France
Tumua ManuSamoaCT18/04/93PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Elijah NikoNew ZealandCT11/09/90AurillacPro D2France7s
Duncan Paia'auaAustraliaCT20/01/95ToulonTop 14FranceInt'l
Ope PeleseumaNew ZealandCT11/02/92RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Ulupano SeuteniAustraliaCT09/12/93La RochelleTop 14FranceInt'l
Ben LamNew ZealandWG09/06/91MontpellierTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Samoa's Europe based pool of pro players has taken a hit over recent years from reduced pro opportunities in England, but the reduction has been lessened a little this year with inclusion of likes of Lamositele, Luatua, Ben Lam after switching to them.

 Tonga (32)
NameTrainedPos.DOBClubLeagueBasedCap
Ziggy Fisi'ihoiTongaLH06/08/87PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Feao FotuaikaAustraliaLH23/04/93LyonTop 14FranceInt'l
Wesley TapuelueluTongaLH03/12/99BrivePro D2France
Siua MaileTongaHK18/02/97BenettonURCItalyInt'l
Siua HalanukonukaNew ZealandTH09/08/86GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Phil KiteAustraliaTH24/04/93VannesPro D2FranceInt'l
David LoloheaAustraliaTH26/02/92DaxPro D2FranceInt'l
Tevita TatafuTongaTH13/10/02BayonneTop 14France
Ben TameifunaNew ZealandTH30/08/91Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l
Siate TokolahiTongaTH16/03/92PauTop 14FranceInt'l
Leva FifitaTongaLK29/07/89OyonnaxTop 14FranceInt'l
Vaea FifitaTongaLK17/06/92ScarletsURCWalesInt'l
Sam LousiNew ZealandLK20/07/91ScarletsURCWalesInt'l
Steve MafiAustraliaLK09/12/89OyonnaxTop 14FranceInt'l
Veikoso PoloniatiNew ZealandLK27/08/95Racing 92Top 14FranceInt'l
Tomasi FineanganofoTongaFL14/04/03AgenPro D2France
Tanginoa HalaifonuaTongaFL20/09/96Stade FrançaisTop 14FranceInt'l
Michael FaleafaNew ZealandN803/02/92Mont-de-MarsanPro D2FranceInt'l
Sione KalamafoniTongaN818/05/88VannesPro D2FranceInt'l
Fotu LokotuiTongaN819/03/92AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Valentino MapapalangiNew ZealandN818/07/93RouenPro D2FranceInt'l
Lopeti TimaniTongaN828/09/90CardiffURCWalesInt'l
Sione VailanuTongaN827/01/95GlasgowURCScotlandInt'l
Tane TakuluaNew ZealandSH11/01/91AgenPro D2FranceInt'l
Pita AhkiNew ZealandCT24/09/92ToulouseTop 14FranceInt'l
Malakai FekitoaTongaCT10/05/92BenettonURCItalyInt'l
Solomone KataTongaCT03/12/94LeicesterPremiershipEnglandInt'l
George MoalaNew ZealandCT05/11/90ClermontTop 14FranceInt'l
Fetuli PaeaTongaCT16/08/94ZebreURCItalyInt'l
Afusipa TaumoepeauAustraliaCT26/01/90PerpignanTop 14FranceInt'l
Atu ManuNew ZealandWG24/07/98GrenoblePro D2FranceInt'l
Telusa VeainuNew ZealandFB26/12/90SalePremiershipEnglandInt'l

Homegrown players called up by other countries (2)
Sitaleki TimaniTongaLK19/09/86BrivePro D2FranceInt'l
Tevita TatafuTongaN802/01/96Bordeaux-BèglesTop 14FranceInt'l

Comment: Like Samoa, Tonga's number of players has also been falling with far fewer pros now in England, both countries used to be well over 40+. However combined with Moana Pasifika both still have among largest eligible pro player pools among "Tier 2" nations. 

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