Txomin Ithurbide

The Basque country has long produced rugby players with a strong sense of identity, and Txomin Ithurbide is a young French lock cut from that cloth, currently on the books at Aviron Bayonnais. Born on 21 November 2004, he is among the next wave of forwards coming through the club's pathway and into Top 14 contention. Ithurbide's game is built around the staples expected of a modern lock — physical engagement in the tight five, contribution at scrum time, and a presence around the lineout. His progress through the Bayonne academy and into senior squad involvement has provided him with exposure to the demands of professional rugby at one of France's most passionately supported clubs. In a competitive Top 14 second-row market, Ithurbide is being developed as a long-term forward option, with the priority placed on adding to his frame, refining his set-piece detail, and building the kind of repeat workrate that distinguishes successful French locks. His ascent reflects Bayonne's continued focus on local production and the strong regional culture surrounding the club at Stade Jean-Dauger. As he accumulates senior minutes, Ithurbide has the platform to become another homegrown name embedded in the Aviron Bayonnais forward pack.