Mehdi Tlili

Born on 17 August 2004, Mehdi Tlili is a French back-row forward on the books of Top 14 side Section Paloise. A flanker by trade, Tlili is valued for the energy he brings around the field, contesting hard at the breakdown and shouldering the unglamorous defensive workload that underpins a competitive pack. He couples a willingness to carry into contact with the mobility to support play in the wider channels, the kind of all-action profile clubs prize in a modern back-rower. Still developing physically and tactically at senior level, Tlili represents part of the next generation of forwards emerging in the French game, where the relentless demands of the Top 14 offer an unforgiving but invaluable proving ground. His progress at Pau has been built on a high work rate and an appetite for the contact area rather than headline-grabbing moments, the kind of traits that tend to earn a coach's trust across a long, attritional season. As he accumulates senior minutes, Tlili will be looking to establish himself as a regular contributor to the Pau effort and to convert early promise into a settled role at the top tier of French club rugby.