Pro D2: Nissa Rugby retains its leaders and recruits All Black Francis Saili

Nissa Rugby continues to build its squad before the 2026-2027 Pro D2 season. The Nice club has officially confirmed eleven contract extensions and has registered a new recruit with the arrival of New Zealand centre Francis Saili.

A few weeks after securing promotion to Pro D2 at the end of the 2025-2026 season, Nissa Rugby continues to build its squad. The Nice club has announced eleven contract extensions, confirming its desire to rely on a large part of the group that achieved promotion.

Among the forwards, Enzo Labadie and Thibaud Rey have extended until 2027. Joel Kpoku, Farai Muradiki and Bastien Berenguel are now tied to the club until 2028. Léo Chauvin and Hugo Sarrasin continue their adventure until 2029.

Among the backs, Inoke Nalaga and Tyler Morgan remain committed until 2028. Baptiste Lafond has extended until 2027, while Clément Egiziano is under contract until 2030.

Recruitment continues ahead of Pro D2

These extensions complement an already well advanced recruitment drive. Zinédine Aouad, Étienne Falgoux, Beau Farrance, Clément Martinez, Baptiste Moreno, Lucas Bachelier, Hanru Sirgel, Théo Idjellidaine, Bautista Ezcurra, Pablo Patilla, Samuel Bielle-Biarrey, Vincent Rattez, Julien Farnoux and Boris Gouttard will also join Nissa Rugby.

The Côte d’Azur club will also welcome Francis Saili. The 35-year-old New Zealand centre, international twice with the All Blacks in 2013, has committed for one season after stints at Biarritz, Racing 92 and Vannes. Francis Saili will reunite with Jean-Baptiste Aldigé, who had already brought the player to the Basque Country in 2020.

This recruitment policy is part of the ambitions displayed after the promotion. At the reception organized at City Hall, Eric Ciotti had recalled the Alpes-Maritimes Department’s financial commitment, referring to “an extremely important aid from the department, 600,000 euros”, before stating that “there is no city and no department that, combined, provide as much financial aid to a club, including in Top 14.” The Mayor of Nice had also set an objective for Jean-Baptiste Aldigé: “you promised me, you have to keep it: we need to be in Top 14 very soon.”

Charles-Ange Ginésy had confirmed the Department’s support by stating: “We will be there, we were in 2024, we maintained in 2025.” The Department president had also welcomed the arrival of “a family, with sponsors, with financial partners”, before assuring: “count on the department president that I am (…) to advocate and ensure that the funds arrive.”

The day after the promotion, Jean-Baptiste Aldigé paid tribute to the squad by recalling the choices made by the players to join the Nice project: “They took the risk, they embraced the dream of joining this beautiful project. You have earned the right on the pitch to compete on the Promenade next year.”