French wing Bielle-Biarrey explores switch to sevens for 2028 Olympics
The 22-year-old has scored 29 tries in 27 appearances for France in the 15-a-side format. French media report that a release to play sevens is among his conditions in contract talks with Bordeaux Begles.
bbc.co.ukLouis Bielle-Biarrey is considering a move to rugby sevens to represent France at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The 22-year-old has scored 29 tries in 27 appearances for France in the 15-a-side game, including a record nine tries in this season's Six Nations.
Contract talks and federation response French media report that a release to play sevens is among Bielle-Biarrey's conditions in contract extension talks with his club, Bordeaux Begles. French Rugby Federation president Florian Grill told L'Equipe he learned of the player's interest and welcomed the possibility.
"I learned of his desire to play sevens, and I'm very happy about it," Grill said. Grill added that Bielle-Biarrey could have an impact comparable to scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who switched formats ahead of the Paris Olympics and helped France win gold.
Precedent in other nations Swapping between the 15-a-side and sevens formats has occurred in several countries. Players from England, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, and Australia have competed in both versions at recent Olympic or World Cup events.
results Great Britain's men's and women's sevens teams were relegated from the top tier of the SVNS World Championship and will compete in a lower division next season. Scotland wing Darcy Graham scored a try in his return to sevens during the season finale in Bordeaux, but the team could not avoid relegation.
GB7s director of rugby Ciaran Beattie said both teams had not performed well enough over the season and that the program would now reflect on its first year as a part-time operation.
