Nissa Rugby finished 2023 strong, climbing into the top three of the Pro D2 standings and tying with Périgueux for points—a remarkable turnaround after a mid-autumn slump.
The team’s resurgence, fueled by a favorable schedule (7 home games in the final 12 matches) and key matchups against rivals like Massy, Chambéry, and Albi, demonstrates the power of collective play bolstered by standout individual performances. Here’s a look at who’s driving Nissa Rugby’s success and who’s still finding their footing.
Most Valuable Players
Gareth Baber and his staff have utilized a deep roster, with 41 players seeing action this season. Young flanker Hugo Sarrasin leads in minutes played with 895, establishing himself as a key figure in the pack. Four others have exceeded 800 minutes: 36-year-old second row Tom Murday, fly-half Owen Williams, center Jean-Pascal Barraque, and winger Clément Egiziano. Pillars Thompson-Stringer (10 starts) and Pupuma (12), hooker Leafa (11), and back Odiete (10) are also crucial components. Scrum half Jules Gimbert has played in all 14 matches, starting 7.
The Orchestrator
Fly-half Owen Williams, formerly of the Ospreys, has quickly become a pivotal player, scoring a total of 121 points—the fourth-highest total in the league—including a game-high 19 points during a road game at Rennes. His composure and accuracy with the boot, combined with his leadership, are proving invaluable. He’s clearly thriving in his new environment.
Try-Scoring Leaders
Nissa Rugby boasts the league’s best try-scoring record with 48 touchdowns, split between 26 from the three-quarters and 22 from the forwards. An impressive 23 different players have crossed the try line, creating constant headaches for opposing defenses. Winger Clément Egiziano leads the charge with 6 tries, closely followed by hooker Leafa, who scored a hat-trick against Massy (5 tries total). Before an injury sidelined him against Marcq-en-Barœul, third row Bastien Berenguel also had 4 tries, as did Fijian winger Nalaga, who boasts a remarkable ratio of one try per four matches played.
Areas for Improvement
Fijian center Waisea has yet to make a significant impact, with only 3 starts and 172 minutes played. This is below expectations given his initial promise. Players emerging from the training squad are also struggling to break through. Fly-half Flavio Asquini often finds himself behind Owen Williams (11 games, 2 starts, including one at fullback), while third row Kilian Laurans and winger Alexis Bouton (145 minutes each) haven’t had sufficient opportunities to showcase their talent.
