Louis Bielle-Biarrey wins France's top international award

Louis Bielle-Biarrey has retained the Nuit du Rugby award for France’s best international player, giving the Bordeaux-Bègles winger back-to-back honours. His latest success confirms his place at the top of the category after he became the first player to interrupt Antoine Dupont’s four-year run last season.

Bielle-Biarrey was chosen ahead of two fellow France internationals: Bordeaux-Bègles team-mate Matthieu Jalibert and Toulouse full-back Thomas Ramos. The result makes him the second consecutive winner of the award and extends a run that had previously belonged entirely to Dupont.

The prize was presented at the 22nd Nuit du Rugby, held on Monday at the Olympia. The ceremony recognised performances from the previous season across French rugby. Jack Willis took the Top 14 player award for a second straight year, while Pau centre Fabien Brau-Boirie was named revelation of the season after also extending his contract with the club until June 2030. Montpellier manager Joan Caudullo won the Top 14 staff prize, ending Toulouse’s three-year hold on that category.

Bielle-Biarrey’s award adds another distinction for Bordeaux-Bègles at an event that also honoured Emilien Gailleton, Marco Moneta and Racing 92 in separate categories. The winger’s consecutive victories now place him ahead of the other current nominees in the latest international-player vote.