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Fifteen players under 22 to follow in this coming season’s Top 14 With another Top 14 about to begin, it’s time to turn on all systems and get you ready for another thrilling season that will have a lot of everything and, hopefully, yet another blockbuster edition of France’s premier rugby competition. So, if you’re curious about the under-22 prospects ready to challenge established stars and make waves across the Top 14, this is the list for you. Each of these young talents has the potential to shape the season in their own way, with some already established in the Test Match scene, such as Brau-Boirie and Théo Attissogbé. A few things to have in mind before scrolling down to our most promising U22 15: - Only players born in 2004 or later were included; - The players’ ages correspond to their ages at the time this article was published; - No player was ruled out, regardless of whether they had already made their debut for their national team, been starters for their clubs, or won domestic or international titles. 1 Atunaisa Sokobale – Castres, 21 years old (born in 2005), Fiji When Atunaisa Sokobale arrived in Castres in 2023, few expected the prop to make the headlines. However, three years later, he has not only earned his place in the club’s main senior squad but also made his debut for Fiji against France in the Autumn Nations Series 2025. The loosehead prop’s mobility and ability to scrummage have earned him a professional contract that will keep him at the club until 2029. 2 Bernabé Massa – ASM Clermont, 21 years old (born in 2004), France One of the few players from last year’s list to keep his place, and he fully deserves it. Massa established himself as Clermont’s first-choice hooker, excelling in the lineout and making a significant impact around the ruck. His efforts were rewarded with a call-up from Fabien Galthié for the Nations Championship, where he earned his first cap against the All Blacks. 3 Tomás Rapetti – Stade Toulousain, 21 years old (born in 2005), Argentina A surprise addition to the Pumas ensemble for the Nations Championship, Stade Toulousain’s Tomás Rapetti seems to be the real deal. With the dawn of a new Top 14 season, the young tighthead prop is looking to become a regular member of Ugo Mola’s matchday squad, and we are looking forward to watching his development. 4 Junior Kpoku – RC Toulon, 20 years old (born in 2005), England England U20 utility forward, Junior Kpoku, has switched sides, having joined RC Toulon for the next three years, and it will be interesting to see how far he can go. His prowess to vehemently plunder the breakdown and boss in the lineout contest makes him one of the finest young locks in the entirety of the Top 14 scene, needing only greater consistency to reach the next level. 5 Setareki Turagacoke – Stade Français, 20 years old (born in 2006), Fiji Refined by Stade Français after arriving as a raw prospect, Setareki Turagacoke has emerged as one of the game’s most exciting young talents, blending rugby intelligence, explosive pace, physical dominance, and relentless aggression. Don’t take your eyes off him, as he will certainly grab the headlines in the near future. 6 Marko Gazzotti – Union Bordeaux-Bègles, 21 years old (born in 2004), France An established international player, 21-year-old Marko Gazzotti is certainly one of the greatest young talents in the world, looking to become a member of France’s starting line-up come the 2027 Rugby World Cup. 7 Lucas Andjisseramatchi – Stade Rochelaois, 20 years old (born in 2006), France While France didn’t win the Junior Championship title this year, it’s impossible not to be impressed by how good Lucas Andjisseramatchi was in the campaign. Having already earned a place in Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle first team, the flanker thrives on disrupting opponents at the breakdown and in the collision area, often turning seemingly lost situations into advantages for his team. Undoubtedly, one of our top picks for the 2026/2027 season. 8 Mikheili Shioshvili – RC Toulon, 20 years old (born in 2006), Georgia Georgia once had “Gorgodzilla” in the imposing figure of Mamuka Gorgodze, and now, the next player capable of striking fear into opposition packs looks to be RC Toulon’s Mikheili Shioshvili. Resembling a Tyrannosaurus Rex with the ability to trample over anyone in his path, Shioshvili is a fierce competitor who will stop at nothing to leave a trail of destruction in his wake. Are you ready to witness the next big thing coming from the Lelos? 9 Baptiste Tilloles – Aviron Bayonnais, 19 years old (born in 2006), France Fast-paced, smooth handling skills, and a natural gift for throwing the oval ball around. What’s not to like about Baptiste Tilloles, who seems to be set to become a valuable member of the Les Bleus? 10 Diego Jurd – Stade Rochelais, 20 years old (born in 2006), France Is Diego Jurd poised to become a leading figure for La Rochelle in the coming years? The 20-year-old has the natural gift of injecting pure exhilarating fuel into his side’s offensive strategy, showcasing a level-headedness uncommon for someone of his age. 11 Théo Attissogbé – Pau, 21 years old (born in 2004), France Is there any need to explain why Théo Attissogbé deserves a spot on this list? Unpredictability, brilliance, and a versatility that already places him among the most lethal wingers in the rugby world. 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie – Section Paloise, 20 years old (born in 2005) Another player who doesn’t need any introduction, Fabien Brau-Boirie has consistently demonstrated why he deserves the starting spot in France’s centre pairing. His versatility and adaptability set him apart, marking him as one of the finest prospects to emerge from Section Paloise’s academy in recent years. He could be one of the three key factors in bringing Les Bleus closer to the world title in 2027. 13 Kalvin Gourgues – Stade Toulousain, 21 years old (born in 2005), France Stade Toulousain’s Kalvin Gourgues has it all, from unreal speed and pace to a frightening physicality that can shatter the best of tacklers, looking destined to become a supernova in the Top 14. Few players have risen as quickly, progressing from zero appearances in 2024/25 to becoming an integral part of Toulouse’s third consecutive championship triumph, while earning his first caps for France. 14 Israel Leota – Stade Français, 21 years old (born in 2005), New Zealand Potentially one of the best pick-ups by a Top 14 team, with Stade Français quickly snapping up the 21-year-old winger, possessing all the tools required to become a standout performer at the highest club level. Our choice might raise a few eyebrows, but believe us that Israel Leota can be the real deal. 15 Mathis Ferté – RC Toulon, 22 years old (born in 2004), France In his debut Top 14 season, Mathis Ferté racked up 31 appearances at the highest level – earning a spot in the starting line-up 90 per cent of the time – delivering sensational performances that translated into eight tries and six assists and several great passages of play. He is a firecracker who can help Toulon get back on the playoff horse this year. Three honourable mentions: Section Paloise’s wing, Grégoire Arfeuil, who found the whitewash twelve times in his first real season in the Top 14; RC Toulon’s Olivier Cowie, who has the knack to slice open the best of blockades; Stade Toulousain and international hooker Thomas Lacombre, a bulldozing machine that has cracked the lineout code; and RC Toulon’s prop Owen Sorhaindo, who has the right set of skills to make a breakthrough. Your home for rugby. Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now! Follow your favourite teams, tournaments and players, and get personalised news and Match Centre notifications direct to your device. From live rugby streams and upcoming fixtures to breaking news, in-depth analysis and live scores, RugbyPass has everything you need to stay connected to the game.