Andy Bordelai

An established figure in the back row at Aviron Bayonnais, Andy Bordelai is a flanker who has built his reputation on hard graft and defensive reliability. Born on 29 March 2000, the Frenchman brings a maturing edge to the Basque club's pack as a player now in the prime years of his career. Bordelai's strengths are those of a traditional workhorse loose forward. He thrives on the disruptive contest at the breakdown, contributes a heavy defensive workload, and offers strong support in the loose. Forwards who reliably deliver this kind of unseen effort form the backbone of any competitive pack, and that dependability is central to his value. At Bayonne, a club with a passionate following in the south-west of France, Bordelai operates within a forward unit that must stand up to the physical rigours of the Top 14. His experience and combative approach make him a useful presence in that demanding environment. Now in his mid-twenties, Bordelai represents the kind of seasoned, no-frills back-rower every squad relies upon. His continued contribution will rest on sustaining the intensity and consistency that have come to define his game.