Mignot says Bielle-Biarrey switch to sevens would be 'insane' ahead of 2028 LA Olympics

France sevens representative Luca Mignot has endorsed the prospect of Louis Bielle-Biarrey joining the sevens programme, reacting to reports that the 22-year-old wants to represent France at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. RMC Sport understands Bielle-Biarrey, currently out of contract with two-time Champions Cup winners Union Bordeaux-Bègle, is keen on making the switch.

Bielle-Biarrey arrives with extraordinary credentials. He was named the 2026 Six Nations Men’s Player of the Year after scoring nine tries in five appearances, and has crossed the whitewash more than 20 times across the 2025/26 Top 14 and Champions Cup campaigns, cementing his status as one of the world’s best rugby players.

“If he comes I have no idea [what will happen]. I think he’ll be the same,” Mignot said. “He’ll have to work hard, earn his ticket for the Olympics and then probably there will be some build up around him and it could be insane for sevens. He would bring competition between the boys and just raise the standards.”

The potential move would mirror the path taken by Antoine Dupont, who temporarily joined France Sevens and helped Les Bleus win the 2024 HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid before starring as France claimed gold at the Paris Olympics. Mignot acknowledged Dupont’s transformative impact on the format. “Dupont brought a lot to us, to France Sevens, to sevens, more exposure to the public,” he said.

For now, Bielle-Biarrey’s involvement remains speculation, but France Sevens have more immediate business to attend to. The side recovered from an opening-round 26-21 defeat to New Zealand — settled by a Roderick Solo try in the final play — to book their place in the HSBC SVNS Bordeaux quarter-finals. A hard-fought 17-point win over Argentina was followed by victory against Germany, with Enahemo Artaud scoring a try double in the decisive pool match.

France will face SVNS Valladolid champions Australia in the quarter-finals. Mignot was measured about the home-crowd atmosphere, noting the importance of channelling rather than being overwhelmed by it. “For some of the boys it’s our first time in France so we want to embrace it, but at the same time not be overcome by the added pressure,” he said. “We just use it to fuel our energy and we need to focus on the principles, stay all together and play our game.”