Nissa Rugby prepares its squad for Pro D2

After validating his Pro D2 return thanks to a victory against Mont-de-Marsan, Nissa Rugby opens a new chapter. Several departures have been made official while scrum-half Théo Idjellidaine is preparing to join the Côte d’Azur club for the next two seasons.

Nissa Rugby is entering a new phase. The promotion to Pro D2, validated in the playoff won against Mont-de-Marsan (31-26), marks the beginning of a cycle where the squad evolves and where sporting choices take center stage. Success at the Arboras ended a busy season, just two weeks after the final lost against Narbonne. The sporting management now advances on two fronts: finalized departures and first arrivals.

The transfer project opened with a wave of departures. Several players are leaving the squad after accompanying recent seasons and participating in the Nice project. The club wanted to salute their commitment, recalling their role in the group’s progression. This movement marks the end of a cycle and prepares for the arrival of a squad adapted to Pro D2’s requirements.

Among them, Martin Freytes, arrived in 2020, leaves behind 122 matches. Tom Murday, committed since 2023, totals 60 appearances. David Odiete, present since 2022, has 75 appearances. These structural departures are added to those of Sione Anga’Aelangui, Rayne Barka, Arthur Duhau, Jonah Mau’u, Henry Purdy, Joshua Tyrell and Waisea Nayacalevu. This group formed a solid foundation, built over the seasons. Their collective exit opens significant space in rotation, experience and internal dynamics.

This massive overhaul takes place in a context where promotion requires adjustments. The club must deal with second-tier professional requirements while maintaining sporting coherence. Management stressed the importance of this moment. Jean‑Baptiste Aldigé highlighted the journey: “some guys took big risks coming from the Top 14 or Pro D2 to join a somewhat crazy project. I’m relieved we didn’t lose a year and that the conditions set, beyond the means, paid off. That was the first stage of the rocket. The hardest too, because getting out of there was very complicated. We will now work to stabilize the club at this level. If all signals are green, I believe this region can legitimately nurture great ambitions and that’s why we chose to embrace this cause.”

In this context, the wave of departures is not merely an accounting move. It conditions the construction of a group capable of establishing itself permanently in Pro D2. It also opens opportunities to integrate targeted profiles.

Théo Idjellidaine, first stone of the new project

The first announced signing fits this logic. Théo Idjellidaine joins Nissa Rugby for two seasons. The scrum-half comes out of a five-year cycle at Agen, with seventeen matches played this season. La Dépêche revealed his commitment, following SUA’s decision not to renew his contract. His arrival comes in a position where competition already exists, with Guillaume Rouet and Jules Gimbert. It also addresses the need to strengthen the half-back line after departures recorded in other positions.

The player will find several reference points on the Côte d’Azur. Barry Maddocks, former coach of the Agen three-quarters, is part of the staff. Clément Martinez, Baptiste Lafond and Inoke Nalaga are also in the squad. These connections should facilitate his integration into a locker room under reconstruction.

This recruitment is part of a broader strategy. The club must manage a squad in flux while anticipating needs related to promotion. The development of Nissa Rugby‘s structures is also a priority. Marcel-Volot stadium, equipped with a 3,000-seat stand, no longer meets professional rugby standards. The president recalled this: “ the new city council will support us. But as for timing, organization, I don’t know more… I’m just the president of the rugby club.”