Bielle-Biarrey eyes sevens switch and LA28 Olympics amid UBB contract talks
France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is exploring a move to the SVNS circuit with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind, according to RMC Sport. The 22-year-old is currently negotiating a contract extension with Union Bordeaux-Bègles, with any new deal expected to include provisions for sevens involvement.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is considering a switch to the SVNS sevens circuit ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with his ongoing contract negotiations at Union Bordeaux-Bègles likely to determine the timeline, according to a report by RMC Sport.
The 22-year-old France wing is understood to have been inspired by Antoine Dupont’s route to Olympic gold at Paris 2024, and wants to follow a similar path to LA28. Any move to the full SVNS circuit is expected to come after next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia, meaning his club commitments would remain the priority in the near term.
Bielle-Biarrey is currently out of contract with Bordeaux-Bègles and in active negotiations over a renewal. His Olympic ambitions are reported to be a central element of those talks, with provisions for international sevens windows expected to feature in any agreement reached. A renewal is widely anticipated, with the winger set to become one of the highest-paid players in French rugby.
Currently earning approximately €350,000 per year (gross), Bielle-Biarrey is expected to seek a salary well above €500,000, given his standing in the game. For context, Bordeaux’s current top earners are Matthieu Jalibert at €850,000 and Damian Penaud at €600,000. To accommodate the wage demands of their star winger under the LNR salary cap, the club is understood to face the prospect of releasing several fringe squad members.
The scale of Bielle-Biarrey’s impact this season makes the financial case hard to argue against. He has scored 34 tries in the current campaign, averaging better than a try per game across club and international appearances — a return that has cemented his status as one of the most dangerous finishers in world rugby.
For the France sevens programme, his potential addition would represent a significant upgrade as the Olympic champions begin building toward LA28. His pace and finishing ability are seen as ideally suited to the short form of the game. Whether and when that transition happens, however, hinges on the outcome of talks with Bordeaux that remain ongoing.
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