Louison Gras

Louison Gras brings tempo and tactical control to Castres Olympique from scrum-half, the position where a side's rhythm is so often decided. The Frenchman's game is built on a sharp, accurate service, an intelligent kicking game and a tenacity in defence that belies the demands of the number nine jersey. A product of the Castres academy, he has grown into an organising presence for the side, acting as the crucial link between a hard-working pack and the runners outside him. Gras reads the game well, dictating when to box-kick for territory, when to snipe around the fringes and when to release his backs, and that decision-making is central to how Castres look to control matches. As he continues to establish himself in the Top 14, his blend of game-management and competitive edge marks him as a dependable operator at the base. For a club that traditionally builds from a strong forward platform, having a scrum-half who can marshal proceedings and pull the strings is a valuable asset.