Mickaël Capelli

A seasoned back-row forward, Mickaël Capelli was born on 18 March 1997 and features as a flanker for Section Paloise in France's Top 14. Capelli's game is grounded in the essentials of loose-forward play — a strong defensive work rate, presence at the breakdown and a willingness to take on the physical exchanges that characterise rugby in France. Now an established senior professional, he provides the Pau pack with experience and reliability, doing the unheralded work of tackling, clearing rucks and supporting the ball-carrier that allows a forward unit to function. His value to the side comes from consistency and an understanding of his role rather than any need for the spotlight. As a fixture in the Section Paloise back row, Capelli continues to contribute his tenacity and graft to one of the Top 14's competitive forward battles, offering the coaching staff a dependable option among the loose forwards. Experience counts for a great deal in the back row, where reading the game and being in the right place at the breakdown often matter more than raw athleticism, and Capelli's years in the professional ranks lend him exactly that kind of nous. He remains a steady, hard-working presence for Pau as the club navigates the demands of a long and attritional Top 14 season.