Having spent time with RC Nice, Julien Caminati returns to his roots. The 35-year-old player has signed with Stade Niçois for the remainder of the season, just like the second row Richard Fourcade.
Stade Niçois makes a major move in the transfer market with the arrival of two highly experienced players. Julien Caminati has today signed with the club from the French Riviera. The 35-year-old player arrives as a medical joker. The team, under the leadership of President Patrice Prévot, has lost Pacôme Gougeon for a few weeks after he had a great start to the season but recently underwent shoulder surgery. Charles Reynaert has just returned to competition against Aubenas after numerous physical setbacks.
The trio of Matthieu Bonnet-Gonnet, Augustin Slowik, and Rémy Defives have been playing successive matches successfully but without the chance to rest. For several days, the Niçois had been searching for a winger-fullback. They have found one. Capable of playing at center, wing, or fullback, Julien Caminati (1.79 m, 93 kg) also has the ability to kick. The 35-year-old player was released from his contract by Montauban, a club currently playing in Pro D2 (2nd division). He will help Stade Niçois achieve its promotion goal.
A Strong Character
Julien Caminati has an extraordinary career path. The native of Nantua began rugby within the training centers of Narbonne and Castres, where he was each time dismissed for misconduct. After that, he joined the Southeast of France, with a stint at RC Cannes Mandelieu. But his career could have ended there. After a tense match, he lost his composure and spat in the face of a referee. Suspended for more than two years, he returned to competition at… RC Nice, where he spent three seasons on the French Riviera.
His career then took off at Brive, where he was elected the best player of Pro D2 in 2012-2013. After stints in Grenoble and Toulon, he became French champion in 2018, winning the Top 14 (1st division) with his club Castres. He spent five seasons in the Tarn before signing this year with Montauban. Julien Caminati played 12 matches (7 starting) in the Montauban jersey. At the end of this season, he will bring all his energy and experience to the Niçois squad to reach the club’s high objectives.
Richard Fourcade, Accustomed to the Highest Level
The surprise of the day comes from the signing of Richard Fourcade. The second row (2 m, 110 kg) has also signed with Stade Niçois. The 27-year-old player notably spent four seasons at Aurillac before experiencing the Top 14 with Brive over the past two years. After leaving Corrèze, this U20 international signed at the beginning of the season with La Seyne-sur-Mer (Fédérale 1), but the Fédérale clubs’ season has been interrupted since the end of October. The player has therefore not played any matches in 2021, but he possesses great qualities.
With the arrival of these two new recruits, Stade Niçois clearly displays its objectives. The club wants to move up to the higher division this year. The road is still long for the Azuréens. Julien Caminati and Richard Fourcade might make their debut during the trip to Bourgoin-Jallieu next week. A difficult but crucial match in the race for the final phases of this National championship.
