Meric Chiffrin

Born on 6 January 2006, Meric Chiffrin is one of the younger back-row forwards on the books at Stade Français Paris, the storied Top 14 club based in the French capital. A flanker by trade, he is built for the contest at the breakdown, where a high work rate and a willingness to commit to the contact area mark out his game. Chiffrin's strengths lie in the unglamorous but essential duties of the modern loose forward: competing for turnover ball, slowing opposition possession and putting in the defensive shifts that keep a pack on the front foot. He carries with purpose in the loose and looks to stay involved across the width of the field rather than waiting for the game to come to him. Still in the early stages of his senior development, Chiffrin is working to add the consistency and physical maturity that regular Top 14 rugby demands. Stade Français's tradition of blooding young forwards offers a demanding environment in which to grow, and his attributes — grit, mobility and a clear understanding of the flanker's role — give him a platform to push for greater involvement in the match-day squad.