Romain Fonnicola: From Unexpected Debut to Starting Role for US Montauban
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A 23-year-old rugby player has quickly become a key figure for US Montauban, making a sensational debut with a try and impressive playmaking, and earning a starting position in the upcoming Challenge Cup match.
At 23, Romain Fonnicola’s trajectory with US montauban has been nothing short of remarkable. His debut on Saturday, November 29, 2025, against RC Toulon, featured a try and a stunning contact pass, immediately signaling his potential. Just a
Unexpected Call-Up and a Swift Debut
Fonnicola’s journey to the field was swift. He received the call to prepare in 13 or 12,” he explained, reflecting on the circumstances that led to his inclusion in the squad. Fortunately, the short notice prevented excessive anxiety. “Luckily, from then on I didn’t have much time to stress. I joined the group and it’s quite nice to experience a first in Toulon, even if collectively, it wasn’t easy.” The match, a 28-54 loss for Tarn-et-Garonnais on the 11th day of the championship, will nonetheless remain a cherished memory.
From Bench to Breakthrough
The young player’s path to playing time took another unexpected turn during the match itself. After 25 minutes, a rib injury forced Thomas Fortunel to leave the field, creating an opening for Fonnicola.”I wasn’t warmed up at all,” he admitted, describing the abrupt transition. “I didn’t have time to be ready… It makes it easier because you don’t think about what’s happening or the team facing you.You just go for it.” He seized the moment, contributing to a pivotal play that saw him execute a superb pass to shift Josua Vici, who then passed to Paul Vallée.
A Rising Star’s Humble Outlook
Despite his impressive performance, Fonnicola remains remarkably grounded. When asked about his acrobatic pass, he downplayed his role, acknowledging the contributions of his teammates.”I see that Hugo [Zabalza] carries the ball well. I know Paul is close, I know Josh’s speed qualities [Vici] so I don’t think too much, I try. Afterwards, it’s good to score.” This team-first attitude has clearly resonated with the coaching staff.
Challenge Cup Possibility and a New Partnership
Fonnicola’s success has earned him a starting spot for the first day of the Challenge Cup against Parma on Saturday, December 6th at 9 p.m. He will be partnering with New Zealand recruit Gibson popolai’i,who will also be making his debut for the club. “I’m happy to move on, to take as much playing time as possible and to progress,” Fonnicola stated. “it’s a good opportunity to show off this match. Especially since behind us, we still have quite a few players who haven’t played much. There’s going to be some desire.”
The pairing of Fonnicola and Popolai’i presents a unique dynamic,requiring strong communication. “We are not going to reinvent rugby. we will have to talk to each other, communication will take precedence. I hope it will work,” Fonnicola acknowledged, highlighting the importance of building synergy.
Facing the Unknown
US Montauban will face a relatively unfamiliar opponent in Zebre de Parma. “We don’t really know it except from the video sequences that we analyzed during the week. We know that it’s strong, that it plays well and that in a competition like the European Cup, the game is a little more fluid. We’ll have to play every opportunity. And then, it’s nice to be faced with a team that no one sees in our championship!”
The match also presents a scheduling change, moving from afternoon games in the Top 14 to a prime-time slot. However, Fonnicola remains unfazed. “It will just be a little longer, but we won’t have time to think between the flight, the arrival, the set-up… Maybe the last day will be long, but that’s all.”
