Jonah Thompson

Quick, elusive and full of attacking intent, Jonah Thompson is one of the promising young backs on the books at Aviron Bayonnais. Born on 31 August 2005, he brings genuine pace and a sharp eye for a running line, attributes that mark him out as an option capable of stretching defences in the wide channels. Thompson's game is built on acceleration and footwork, and he has shown the kind of energy that can shift the tempo of a contest when he is introduced. As one of the squad's developing talents, he is being handed opportunities to learn the demands of senior rugby in the Top 14, one of the most physically uncompromising leagues in the world. His ceiling will be defined by how he adds defensive steel and game management to his natural attacking instincts, but the raw ingredients of a dangerous backline runner are already evident. For Bayonne, he represents an exciting prospect for the years ahead.