Six La Rochelle teenagers sign new deals after 45-5 quarter-final humbling by Stade Français

Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle moved swiftly to secure their future after a chastening 45-5 Top 14 quarter-final defeat to Stade Français on Sunday, announcing new ‘Espoir’ contracts for six academy players: Nolhann Couillaud, Igor Gatteau, Maxence Ligeron, Paco Scheibel, Zak Price and Visesio Kite.

The most talked-about signing is Kite, the 17-year-old Australian who arrived from the Queensland Reds pathway in 2024. Standing 2.04m and weighing 147kg, the former Australia U16 representative has already played tighthead prop for La Rochelle’s U18 side and lock for the U21s. He has now committed until 2028. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to stay in a place that has become my new home,” Kite said. “I thank the club for believing in me and for supporting me both on and off the pitch since I joined this adventure.”

Also attracting attention beyond France is English-qualified tighthead Zak Price. The Franco-English front-rower joined La Rochelle’s academy at U16 level, captained the club’s Crabos (U18) side and earned selection for France U20 Development this season before signing through to 2028. “I am very proud that the club is giving me the opportunity to represent its colours,” Price said.

Of the group, scrum-half Couillaud may be the nearest to a first-team breakthrough. He has already made eight professional appearances and was named in the France U20 squad for this year’s Six Nations before injury ended his campaign early. He signs until 2027 alongside fellow France U20 Development representatives second-row Gatteau and prop Ligeron.

Completing the sextet is centre Scheibel, a France U18 Sevens international who helped France claim the European U18 Championship title.

La Rochelle had only squeezed into the Top 14’s top six on the final weekend of the regular season before being eliminated in emphatic fashion by Stade Français. The wave of academy renewals signals the club’s intent to rebuild from within ahead of next season.