Julien Marchand

Born on 10 May 1995, Julien Marchand is a French hooker who has become one of the most influential front-row forwards in the modern game. A product of the Stade Toulousain academy, he has spent his senior career at the heart of the Toulouse pack and developed into a senior leader for both club and country. Marchand's game is built around relentless work rate. He is a ferocious tackler, a genuine breakdown threat capable of winning turnovers in traffic, and a reliable lineout thrower under pressure. His ability to cover huge distances in defence and carry aggressively over the gain line gives Toulouse and France a modern, high-output hooker in the mould the elite game now demands. With Les Bleus, Marchand has featured in major Six Nations and Rugby World Cup campaigns and was part of the squad that won the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam. He has captained the national team during his international career, an indication of the standing he holds within the French group. At Toulouse he is a cornerstone figure in a pack accustomed to competing for domestic and European honours, and his leadership continues to shape the club's forward identity.