Former Fiji captain Nayacalevu among 10 players released as promoted Nissa rebuild for Pro D2

Nissa Rugby have released 10 players ahead of their return to France’s second tier, with former Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu the most prominent departure following a limited debut season on the Côte d’Azur.

The club announced the clearout on Thursday, days after securing promotion back to the Pro D2 with a 31-26 victory over Stade Montois in the promotion/relegation play-off — completing an immediate return to the second tier following last season’s relegation.

Nayacalevu, 35, had joined Nissa from the Ospreys ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, bringing 40 international caps and the distinction of having captained Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He managed just 10 appearances during Nissa’s Nationale campaign, and will now move on as the club prepares for a stiffer challenge.

Several players central to Nissa’s rise through the divisions are also departing. Centre Martin Freytes leaves after 122 appearances across five seasons, while winger David Odiete exits with 75 matches to his name since joining in 2022. Lock Tom Murday also departs after 60 appearances over the past three campaigns.

The scale of the turnover reflects the ambition of a club that has been actively reshaping its squad under president Jean-Baptiste Aldigé. Nissa’s recruitment for the Pro D2 season is already underway, with former France international Vincent Rattez arriving from Lyon and Samuel Bielle-Biarrey — younger brother of France and Bordeaux-Bèglès star Louis — also set to join.

In a further sign of intent, the club have also moved to sign two players from Narbonne — back-row Lucas Bachelier and full-back Boris Goutard — the side that initially defeated Nissa in the promotion play-off before Nissa recovered through the barrage route to clinch their place in the Pro D2.