The Star-Studded XV of Top 14 players whose contracts are expiring

The 2021/22 season is drawing to a close and several Top 14 players have their contracts expiring.

French website All Rugby has released a the list of players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the season.

The list includes numerous high profile players who could still re-sign with their club or take their talents abroad. 

It also has several players listed who could retire at the end of the season but have yet to confirm their retirement. Players like Sergio Parisse, Victor Vito, and Damien Chouly are among those yet to confirm their retirements.

We have picked a star studded XV from the players listed.

1. Ben Tameifuna (Bordeaux)

Tongan powerhouse Ben Tameifuna has featured on either side of the scrum since joining Bordeaux.

The 30-year-old behemoth could be on his way to his third French club since leaving the Chiefs for Racing 92 back in 2015.

A powerful loosehead prop, Neti was capped for France during the Autumn Nations Series in 2020.

Neti has been a sturdy back-up to Cyril Baille at the club and he re-sign with Toulouse but a move for more starting minutes could be on the cards for the 27-year-old.

2. Facundo Bosch (La Rochelle)

A La Rochelle and Los Pumas regular, the 30-year-old may be considering his options with Pierre Bourgarit often starting in his place.

The skilful hooker is an astute set-piece operator and is busy around the park. Ronan O'Gara may be leaving this re-signing late but he is undoubtedly an asset to the club.

Elsewhere, Wallaby hooker Tolu Latu has already left Stade Francais, Lyon's Michelangelo Sosene-Feagai is also likely to depart the Club while Toulouse youngsters Guillaume Cramont and Ian Boubila could also be on the lookout for a new side.

3.  Charlie Faumuina (Toulouse)

The World Cup-winning All Black has been a cornerstone of the Toulouse scrum since joining from the Blues in 2017.

At the age of 35, Faumuina could be leaning towards retirement but considering his extensive CV and recent performances, he will have no trouble arguing a contract extension or earning a new deal elsewhere.

La Rochelle's 33-year-old prop Ramiro Herrera is in the final months of his contract at the side.

4. Yoann Maestri (Stade Francais)

A 65 test cap veteran for France,  Yoann Maestri is another stalwart who could hang up his boots at the end of the current season.

With just months left on his contract, the 34-year-old could venture into the lower levels of French rugby if Stade Francais are not keen to renew his contract. 

Alternatively, other clubs could be in the market for an experienced head in the second row.

Meanwhile, Rory Arnold's contract at Toulouse is coming to an end with his brother Richie still contracted through next season. 

5. Leone Nakarawa (RC Toulon)

The Fijian superstar has been linked with a move to the Premiership next season with Exeter Chiefs a likely destination.

The 33-year-old Olympic gold medallist in sevens joined Toulon after a move to join Ulster fell through after he failed a medical.

6. Victor Vito (La Rochelle)

 

Former All Black Vitor Vito has hinted that this may be his final season as a professional but is yet to confirm his decision.

Having played over 100 times for La Rochelle since his arrival from the Hurricanes in 2016, Vito may well extend his career another year or even return for one final stint in New Zealand.

There is no shortage of back rowers whose contracts are expiring with Georgian powerhouse Otar Giorgadze's time at Brive almost up as too is Clément Lanen's time at Clermont.

7. Colby Fainga'a (Lyon)

Fainga'a joined Lyon from Connacht in 2020 from Connacht but could be on his way out of Lyon at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old's form last season earned him a call up to Dave Rennie's Wallaby squad.

A strong openside flanker, Fainga'a could still remain at Lyon but have suitors around the League and abroad.

8. Sergio Parisse (RC Toulon)

Could this finally be Parisse's final season?

Parisse turns 39 this September and has had interest from Toulon to join their coaching ranks. He also turned down the opportunity to represent Italy one final time before call it a day on his playing career.

However, it is not out of the question that Parisse will play another final season whether that is at Toulon or elsewhere.

Tongan international Ma'ama Vaipulu's contract at Bordeaux is also expiring at the end of the season and will attract interest for any side looking for a furious ball carrying back rower.

Former France international Mathieu Bastareaud has struggled with injuries during his time at Lyon and could leave the Club come the end of the season.

Surprisingly Romain Ntamack's younger brother Théo Ntamack is in the final months of his contract at Toulouse.

9. Benoît Paillaugue (Montpellier)

A Montpellier club legend, Benoît Paillaugue has represented the club well over 200 times during his 14-year stint.

The 34-year-old is yet to sign fresh terms with his club and it looks increasingly unlikely that he will be offered a new deal.

Montpellier have signed the highly-rated Leo Coly while Cobus Reinach has signed an extension with the side.

Toulouse have young scrum-halves Martin Page-Relo and Théo Idjellidaine on expiring contracts.

10. Tedo Abzhandadze (Brive)

There has already been a bit of a flyhalf roundabout in France already with the likes of Ihaia West, Louis Carbonel and others moving clubs at the end of the season.

Brive's Tedo Abzhandadze could be another flyhalf searching for a new home with his contract expiring at the Club.

Enzo Herve has been the first choice pivot at the Club and Brive could be relegated at the end of the season which could result in a mass exodus.

11. Dimitri Delibes (Toulouse)

There are multiple Toulouse backs whose contracts are entering the final months.

Speedster Dimitri Delibes is one of them. A quick outside back, Delibes has also featured in the centres for the Club.

The 23-year-old could be worth the gamble for multiple clubs looking for an attacking edge. 

12. Tim Nanai-Williams (Toulouse)

There are two standout names in the centres with Samoan international Tim Nanai-Williams and Toulon's Julien Hériteau on expiring deals.

Toulouse picked up Nanai-Williams on a one-season deal after his departure from Clermont and Cheslin Kolbe's late departure to Toulon.

The Samoan offers utility at fullback, flyhalf, centre and on the wing.

13. Marco Zanon (Pau)

Zanon traded the green of Benetton for the Green and White of Pau midway through the current season.

He signed a short-term deal with the Club and the highly-rated Italian could still sign an extension before the end of the season, especially since Pau have secured their place in the Top 14 next season.

Toulouse youngster Pierre Fouyssac could also depart the Club at the end of the season.

14. Juan Cruz Mallia (Toulouse)

Los Pumas back Juan Cruz Mallia has featured across the backline for Toulouse this season and could join interest from clubs across Europe.

His disciplinary record may be somewhat of a concern for some sides but Mallia would certainly be an asset to any club he joins.

He may well re-sign with Toulouse considering the number of backs that have their contracts expiring. 

15. Kotaro Matsushima (Clermont)

After his heroics at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Matsushima returns to his home country at the end of the season.

The talented outside back is likely to have played his final game for the Club due to injury and has confirmed that he will return to Japan at the end of the season.