A few weeks before finding and facing the Top 14, the Sky and White squad is growing with new players. They are currently 15 to join the ranks of Aviron Bayonnais, on the banks of the Nive. Among the latest, Geoff Cridge, a 27-year-old Baby Black. Two others are defectors from Stade Rochelais, reigning European champion, Eneriko Buliruarua and Facundo Bosch. Here is the list of new recruits from Aviron Bayonnais.
Geoff Cridge
- Age: 27 years old
- Nationality: New Zealander
- Position: 2nd line
- Former club: Waratahs (Super Rugby)
The New Zealander, native of Christchurch, has XXL measurements (2 meters; 114kg). His arrival was made official this Wednesday, June 22. He played 11 Super Rugby games last season with Australia’s Waratahs province. Versatile, he can help out at the third line position. World champion under 20 in 2015 with the Blacks, he was never called up to the A team. He signed for two seasons
Eneriko Buliruarua
- Age: 25 years old
- Nationality: Fijian
- Position: centre/winger
- Former club: Stade Rochelais (Top 14)
The Fijian international center of La Rochelle Eneriko Buliruarua has signed up for two years with Bayonne. Buliruarua, 25, passed through Toulon and Brive, has been playing for a season in the ranks of the new European champion for whom he has played 16 matches this season (4 tries scored).
Facundo Bosch
- Age: 30 years old
- Nationality: Argentina
- Position: hooker
- Former club: Stade Rochelais (Top 14)
The 30-year-old Argentinian hooker, who has 10 caps with the Pumas, arrives from Stade Rochelais, recent European champion. Passed by Agen and therefore by La Rochelle, Facundo Bosch will bring all his experience to the promoted. He signed for one season, with an additional one optional.
Pascal Cotet
- Age: 28 years old
- Position: pillar
- Former club: Racing Club Narbonnais (Pro D2)
Quentin Bethune
- Age: 26 years old
- Position: pillar
- Former club: Stade Français (Top 14)
Thomas Acquer
- Age: 32 years old
- Position: hooker
- Former club: CA Brive (Top 14)
– Nicolas Blanzat
Thomas Ceyte
- Age: 31 years old
- Position: 2nd line
- Former club: USON Nevers Rugby (Pro D2)
At 32, the one who was captain of the Nièvre club has 154 Pro D2 matches.
Manuel Leindekar
- Age: 25 years old
- Nationality: Uruguayan
- Position: 2nd line
- Former club: Oyonnax Rugby (Pro D2)
Leindekar has 17 Pro D2 matches (14 starts) this season with Oyonnax. The 2nd row Uruguayan (2.03 m; 115 kg) has the advantage of being Jiff (player from training courses).
– GABRIEL BOUYS
Pierre Huguet
- Age: 26 years old
- Position: 3rd line
- Former club: US Carcassonne (Pro D2)
Maxime Machenaud
- Age: 33 years old
- Position: scrum half
- Former club: Racing 92 (Top 14)
Racing 92 international scrum-half Maxime Machenaud has signed up with Bayonne for the next three seasons. After 10 seasons with the Ile-de-France club, crowned with a French championship title in 2016 and three European Cup finals (2016, 2018 and 2020). An experienced player (34 years old) with 226 Top 14 matches and 55 Champions Cup matches, Maxime Machenaud has worn the jersey of the XV of France 38 times.
– Pierre Breteau
Camille Lopez
- Age: 33 years old
- Position: opening half
- Former club: ASM Clermont Auvergne (Top 14)
Clermont fly-half Camille Lopez has signed up for the next two seasons with Aviron Bayonnais. Lopez (32 years old, 28 caps) had been playing at ASM since 2014, after wearing the colors of Perpignan and Bordeaux-Bègles. In Auvergne, Souletin have reached the Top 14 final three times (2015, 2017, 2019), lifting the Bouclier de Brennus in 2017. Lopez also won the European Challenge in 2019 and helped Clermont to two Coupe d’Azur finals. Europe in 2015 and 2017.
– D LERICHE / L BOUTRIA
Jason Robertson
- Age: 27 years old
- Nationality: New Zealander
- Position: opening
- Former club: Racing Club Narbonnais (Pro D2)
Passed by the Major League in the United States, Jason Robertson arrived in the summer of 2021 in Narbonne. Despite the complicated season of the Aude club, he achieved interesting performances, both in the game and against the poles since he scored 187 points in 18 games (4 tries). He also has for him to be able to cover the position of opener, back and center. A real Swiss army knife (1.71 m; 85 kg) which landed at the Sky and White.
Guillaume Martocq
- Age: 22 years old
- Position: center
- Former club: US Carcassonne (Pro D2)
Like the Carcasonne team to which he had been loaned for the past two years, Guillaume Martocq (22 years old, 1.83 m, 94 kg) had a full 2021-2022 season in the center of the attack of the yellow and black. The one who joined the Aviron training center in 2015 is returning to Dauger’s side to try to continue to mature in the middle of an experienced three-quarter line. He played 52 games for USC, including 48 as a starter.
Bastien Pourailly
- Age: 28 years old
- Position: winger
- Former club: ASM Clermont Auvergne (Top 14)
The native of 64 will return to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, after a break of two seasons in 63. Originally from Aramits, Bastien Pourailly (1.77 m; 83 kg) played 14 matches with ASM, including 13 in as holder, for a registered trial.
Yohan Orabe
- Age: 20 years old
- Position: back
- Former club: Mauléon (Federal 1)
Back of Mauléon (Federal 1), originally from Chéraute, like Camille Lopez, he was one of the best scorers in the championship at just 20 years old. He took part in 24 SAM meetings this season, including 22 as a starter, for ten tries.