Best players so far in the Pro D2

With the Pro DD2 at its half way mark, we look at the best XV so far.

Louis MARY (Left pillar, 25 years old, US Dax)

 

"It's a bit paradoxical to be a rugby player and not know any great players," Louis Mary admitted in an interview. If he doesn't know the figures of our sport, he at least has the talent to be part of it. Solid, mobile and essential in the Landes pack , the left-hander has also caught the eye of the UBB and the TOP14, whose muscular jousts he will discover as soon as this season is over. 

Lucas Da Silva (Hooker, 27 years old, CA Brive)

 

Lucas Da Silva is the embodiment of the domination of the Brive conquest of the championship. Long at the top of the scorers' ranking (8 tries), the former Parisian was at the conclusion of all the Corrèze mauls. A good thrower in touch, reliable in the scrum and always well placed, the Francilien took advantage of the first months of the season to reveal his full potential.  

Marcel Van der Merwe (Right pillar, 34 years old, CA Brive)

 

At 34, the South African right-hander has reached the golden age of all pillars and this is confirmed on the pitch. Each forward pass or action leading to a scrum causes a shiver and fear in the opponent. Very robust, the Springbok with 7 caps has put more than one opposing pack on the back foot . And in addition to his power in this showdown, Van der Merwe knows how to turn into a scorer, he has dove twice in the in-goal area.  

Evan Olmstead (Second row, 33 years old, SU Agen)

 

A Canadian maple has taken root in the Lot-et-Garonne soil. Arriving three years ago from Biarritz, the imposing 2nd row has become the leader of the Agen pack . A man of character and combat, the Canuck with 41 caps has even surpassed his duties by scoring two tries against Provence and Biarritz, his best total since his debut in PROD2.  

Giorgi Javakhia (Second row, 28 years old, FC Grenoble)

 

The Alpine air suits the giant of the Caucasus perfectly. Already present in the XV of last season, the Georgian continues his momentum by being once again part of this great mid-season team . Already 5 tries scored and one what to say about his performances more accomplished than the others. Giorgi Javakhia always puts the FCG in the advance.  

Anthony Coletta (Third row, 35 years old, Colomiers Rugby)

 

Dax, Soyaux Angoulême and Colomiers. Everywhere he has been, the flanker has established himself as a leader . No wonder he was quickly promoted to captain of the club at the dove. An ultra-combative player with a fiery temperament, his presence reassures and motivates his teammates to the point of becoming indispensable. In addition, at 35, Coletta seems to be improving and as with wine, this season could well be a great vintage for the third row.  

Loïc Godener (Third row, 29 years old, Oyonnax)

 

If he made a lot of people laugh, with the now cult scene of the lost tooth, on the field it's something else. Of course Oyonnax had a complicated start to the season, but in the storm Godener tried to guide his team with his rugby and human qualities. An "old-school" player, tough and robust , the third row has scored 4 tries and strives to fight every day.  

Courtney Lawes (Third row, 35 years old, CA Brive)

 

His recruitment looked like a gamble and the least we can say is that the Brive management succeeded. The formidable flanker with 105 caps for England did not come to Corrèze to take early retirement . Still as active and feared by opponents, Courtney Lawes is both the control tower and the battering ram of the Brive team. His charisma and his knowledge of the game place him very logically in this mid-season XV.  

Léo Carbonneau (scrum half, 20 years old, CA Brive) 
 

In this PRO D2, there are many scrum-halves with different qualities from each other. But at the start of the season, it is Léo Carbonneau who has stood out the most. At 20 years old, the number 9 of CA Brive is already a leader of his team, to the point of sometimes being named captain during matches . A dynamic player, capable of finding the slightest flaw, he always puts his team forward. Before the start of the return phase, Léo Carbonneau already has 4 tries.

 

Ben Botica (fly-half, 35 years old, SAXV)

 

He is at the helm of a team that, this season, could claim the top 6. Like SAVX, fly-half Ben Botica has once again made his talent known in the PRO D2 known . An experienced choice, for the one who this season is the 3rd best current scorer in the championship with 124 points including 4 tries. Will he be able to lead his Soyaux-Angoulême teammates to a possible final phase? 

Erwan Dridi (winger, 24 years old, CA Brive)

 

No time to adapt for Erwan Dridi in his new team. Having arrived last summer in Brive from Grenoble, the winger quickly joined the CAB XV and is now one of the most used players in the squad with 883 minutes . At mid-season, he completes the podium of the best try scorers with 8 goals to his name. Capable of finishing shots, but also of creating them since he is the player who makes the most passes after contact with 16 offloads. 

Sam Johnson (center, 31 years old, CA Brive)

The Correzian back line shines this season. After Carbonneau and Dridi, it is the Scottish center Sam Johnson who takes the number 12 spot in this typical mid-season XV. A perforating center, always advancing in attack, and often impassable in defense (29 tackles broken and 66 tackles made at present) . He brings all his experience to this team, having played 26 matches with the XV du Chardon.

Romain Fusier (center, 24 years old, FC Grenoble Rugby)

Alongside the powerful Sam Johnson, it is the center Romain Fusier who completes this rather complementary pair. Fast, also capable of playing on the wings, Fusier is one of the speedy players of this Grenoble team . Like Erwan Dridi, he is also one of the players who makes the most offloads to play behind. In defense, he is the three-quarter center who has completed the most tackles with 87 successful. A real asset for this FCG team.

Wilfried Hulleu (winger, 22 years old, FC Grenoble Rugby)

This season, the leader has the best attack in the championship and winger Wilfried Hulleu is probably not for nothing. He is also one of these players with 8 tries this season, with a rise in power during the last days of the first half . A double during D12 against Colomiers, then another against the promoted Nice during D15. Two seasons ago, his brother Nathanaël finished top scorer of the season. No doubt he would like to achieve this kind of performance.

Gabin Lorre (back, 23 years old, AS Béziers Hérault) 

In Béziers, Gabin Lorre continues to walk on cloud nine. If he revealed himself last season during the very good season of AS Béziers-Hérault, his level has risen again this season. Today, the Béziers full-back is the best scorer in the championship with 11 tries scored. A complete player, capable of getting away with one-on-ones, but also capable of using his footwork to achieve great things.