Fifteen-a-side sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey is exploring the possibility of representing France when they defend their sevens Olympic crown at Los Angeles 2028.
The 22-year-old has scored 29 tries in 27 appearances for France in fifteens, including a record nine in this season’s Six Nations.
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont made the surprise format switch in 2024, skipping the Six Nations to prepare for the Paris Olympics, before helping the host nation to its first gold medal of the Games.
French media report that a release to play sevens in one of Bielle-Biarrey’s stipulations in contract extension talks with his club side Bordeaux Begles.
“I learned of his desire to play sevens, and I’m very happy about it,” French Rugby Federation president Florian Grill told L’Equipe., external
Grill also backed Bielle-Biarrey to have a similar impact to Dupont if he makes the switch.
“Yes, it seems quite obvious,” he said. “Louis would be an excellent rugby sevens player, of course.”
Swapping between formats is relatively common in the women’s game.
Meg Jones and Ellie Kildunne, who would later star in the England team that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, were part of the Great Britain sevens team which finished seventh at the Paris Games, while Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher won a bronze medal with Team USA – and a boosted social media following.
All Blacks’ Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane have both represented New Zealand at the Olympics, while South Africa’s double Rugby World Cup winners Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith played alongside each other at Rio 2016.
Semi Radradra (Fiji) and Samu Kerevi (Australia) have also played at the Olympics, while legendary All Black pair Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen both made their breakthroughs at the Hong Kong Sevens.
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