Brad Shields

A backbone for both club and international side, Jake Ball brings strength at the breakdown and dominance at the line out making him a huge threat to the opposition. Currently coming off the back of an injury ravaged few months, Jake was part of the Grand Slam winning Welsh squad and is training with the Wales squad ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

6ft 6 Scarlets back row Aaron Shingler is known across both the Guinness Pro 14 and international rugby for his destructive power. Aaron Shingler was awarded man of the match in the 2017 Pro12 final and tore up the field in an incredible 2018 Six Nations. Currently coming off the back of a nasty knee injury, Shingler is training with the Wales squad ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

An athletic, powerful and exciting number 8 by trade, Gregory Alldritt arrived at La Rochelle in 2017 and quickly established himself as a firm favourite with the fans. Gregory made his France debut in 2019 Alldritt scored 2 famous tries in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations against Scotland.

Phil Burgess stands out for his impressive pace gaining him numerous tries since he was called up to the England Sevens Squad in 2013 after playing for Cornish Pirates. Now very much sevens rugby specialist, Phil represented Team GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016, helping the team to secure a silver medal. Phil was also part of the Team England squad winning bronze in the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Often a very underrated back row forward, Kevin Gourdon has played his club rugby at La Rochelle since 2012. Gourdon made his France debut in 2016 and has played 19 times so far for his National side. Usually a number 8 by trade, Kevin can also operate well as a blindside flanker.

Mike firstly competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games helping England win the plate competition. Moving to Saracens he came up through the Anglo-Welsh Cup, Premiership Rugby and European Champions Cup before moving back to  sevens in 2018.

Amber Reed has made herself an indispensable member of the Red Roses squad aiding England to world cup and six nations grand slam victory. With her astonishing kicking accuracy as a fly half, Amber is a key member of both the Bristol Bears Women and England women setup.

French international Clerment Maynadier has had a striking rugby career so far. Signing for Bordeaux Begles in 2013, he has since taken part in the 2016 Argentina tour making his debut for France. In 2017, Clermont also made his Six Nations debut against England. 

Former Wales international player Richard Hibbard currently plays for Dragons after joining the squad in 2018. Touring Australia and South Africa and selected for the British and Irish Lions, who can forget Hibbards tackle on George Smith – trademark ‘body on the line’ rugby from ‘Thor’.  

USA Rugby Union Fly half Ben Cima, started his career at Seattle Seawolves before being selected for the Men’s Eagles for the 2017 America Rugby Championship (ARC) earning his first cap and assisting the team to their first ever ARC title win.

Irish rugby player Sean Cronin plays hooker for Leinster Rugby. Sean has had an epic season being currently joint top try scorer in the Heineken Champions Cup (2018-2019) and shortlisted for European Rugby player of the year. Sean also has 68 caps for his international side and holds the record for the most amount of appearances as a replacement in test matches.

James is the world's most capped sevens player, making the most sevens tournament appearances of all time. James helped gain the silver medal in the 2016 Olympics and along with the bronze in the Commonwealth Games in 2018. James announced his retirement from playing in 2019 but will continue as a coach of the England 7s team.

Mahamadou Diaby started his professional career in 2011 at Racing 92 before moving to Oyonnax in 2013 where he made his senior debut. The blindside flanker then moved to Grenoble making 40 games until their relegation in 2016/2017. He then signed for Bordeaux where he currently plays. 

Wenceslas Lauret has been a key member of the French international side as well as his club Racing 92 since his debuts. The blindside flanker started his career for the Biarritz under 20s in 2007, where he came up through the ranks. In 2010 he made the French international squad, going onto tour South Africa and Argentina, and appearing in his first Six Nations in 2014.  

Cited as one of the best players in the Pro D2, Gabriel Lacroix signed with La Rochelle in 2015 after playing for Albi. The French U20 international wing became La Rochelle’s top try scorer in the 2016-2017 season and went onto play his first game for France later that year.

Making his debut for the England Sevens in 2014, Charlie Hayter is known for his speed and top try scoring abilities. Previously a 15s player for London Scottish, Worcester and Wasps, Charlie quickly picked up the sevens game and never looked back.