Etienne Fourcade

Plying his trade with ASM Clermont Auvergne, one of the most storied clubs in France's Top 14, Etienne Fourcade is a back-row forward whose game is grounded in physicality and a high defensive work rate. Born on 11 April 1997, he embodies the hard-edged attributes demanded of loose forwards in the gruelling French top flight. Fourcade is at his most effective operating around the fringes, where his appetite for contact and persistence at the breakdown allow him to disrupt opposition possession and create a platform for the Clermont attack. He offers honest carrying through the middle and shoulders the unglamorous workload that underpins a successful pack, from set-piece duties to the relentless tackling required week to week. Competing for selection at a club renowned for the strength of its forwards, he represents the kind of dependable squad option who keeps standards high in training and steps up when called upon. His combination of grit and mobility makes him a useful link between forwards and backs, and continued progress could see him press for more regular involvement in Clermont's matchday plans across Top 14 and European fixtures.