Eric Sione

Experience and front-row craft define Eric Sione, the tighthead prop plying his trade with US Arlequins Perpignanais in France. Born on 29 October 1992, Sione learned his rugby in New Zealand's domestic scene before taking his scrummaging to the demanding environment of French club rugby. His game is built on the fundamentals of the tighthead's trade: a stable, powerful scrum, reliable defensive work and a physical presence in the tight exchanges. As an anchor in the front row, his primary task is to secure possession at the set piece and to hold his own in the collisions that shape any contest up front. The accumulated knowledge of a well-travelled career makes him a steadying influence for his pack, the kind of seasoned operator on whom younger forwards lean for guidance in the trenches.