Max Hicks

Born on 15 September 1999, Max Hicks is a flanker plying his trade with US Arlequins Perpignanais, the Catalan club better known as USAP. As a back-rower, Hicks operates in the engine room of the loose forwards, where his job is to compete at the breakdown, get through a high volume of tackles and offer a link between the heavy forwards and the faster men outside. Now in his mid-twenties, he sits in the age bracket where back-row players typically combine physical maturity with a growing understanding of the technical side of openside and blindside play. At a club with a proud history in French rugby, Hicks is part of a forward unit asked to set the tone physically each week. His contribution is rooted in workrate and reliability — the tackles made, the rucks hit and the contests at the ruck that rarely show up on a highlights reel but shape the outcome of tight matches. Hicks remains focused on cementing his place in the Perpignan back row.