Bielle-Biarrey setting aside university exams to become France's youngest Rugby World Cup player
France player Louis Bielle-Biarrey attends a press conference in Marcq-en-Baroeul, northern France, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, ahead of the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Uruguay on Thursday. Credit: AP/Michel Spingler
LILLE, France — Louis Bielle-Biarrey is supposed to be studying at the moment for university mid-term exams in business management and administration.
Studying skills such as collaboration, communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving.
But he kind of is — for France at the Rugby World Cup.
Bielle-Biarrey will become France's youngest World Cup player on Thursday when he starts on the wing against Uruguay in Lille. He'll be 20 years, 87 days, younger by two months than was record-holder Romain Ntamack at the 2019 World Cup.
“That's not going to help us become world champions,” Bielle-Biarrey joked. "Everything’s going so fast, I don’t necessarily realize it.”
He's in the team because he is fast and smart.
Damian Penaud and Gabin Villiere are France's main wings, and Yoram Moefana can cover for them, but Bielle-Biarrey has impressed the coaches since before he joined the extended squad before the Six Nations this year.
France's rugby team players attend a training session at their base camp's training center in Rueil-Malmaison, outside Paris, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Credit: AP/Michel Euler
He got on their radar for performances in the Under-20 Six Nations — five tries in nine matches — and for Top 14 semifinalist Bordeaux. He was exempted from the under-20 world championship in June-July (that France won) to train with the senior World Cup squad.
Not the biggest wing, but bigger than Villiere, the red-helmeted Bielle-Biarrey made his Les Tricolores debut in August against Scotland and scored a try around Hamish Watson and set up another.
Two more warmup matches, including another start against Fiji, made him a bolter for the 33-man World Cup squad.
“Everyone’s been really nice to me, which obviously helps me to do well in training and be in good condition for the match,” he said. “I’m going into this match with a lot of enthusiasm, and the desire to enjoy myself."
France's rugby team players attend a training session at their base camp's training center in Rueil-Malmaison, outside Paris, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Credit: AP/Michel Euler
Those university exams Bielle-Biarrey was supposed to be doing around now were important make-up exams. He does want to complete his degree but he has a higher calling at the moment. His country needs him.
“It is more and more complicated to do (university and rugby), but I'll hang in there. It might take a little longer,” he said. “Personally, it makes me feel good not to think about rugby all the time. You have to do (both) intelligently so that I stay good at rugby and so that studies don't take up too much of my time either. Eventually, I would like to finish what I started.”
France is thinking likewise.
Most Popular
Top Stories
