French Rugby’s second division competition Pro D2 is perhaps the greatest example of just why the game is in such a healthy state in the republic.
Tucked ever so slightly behind the glitz and glamour of the Top 14, the Pro D2 still attracts some of the biggest names in the game.
Take, for example, England legend Courtney Lawes signing with mid-table side CA Brive ahead of next season.
Courtney Lawes reportedly set to join Pro D2 squad per reports
In addition to seasoned veterans like Lawes, the league also features some of the brightest up-and-coming names from all over the world.
One such player is French flyhalf Antoine Aucagne, who started 11 straight matches for 11th place in Aurillac.
The 23-year-old has been a staple of the club’s second half to the season, with yesterday’s performance against 3rd place Provence Rugby highlighting how far he has come as a game manager.
Squaring off against the ultra-experienced Jimmy Gopperth, Aucagne dragged his team from 24 – 6 down to 20 – 24 with four minutes to play.
It wouldn’t be quite enough for Aurillac, but it once again proved that there is little to choose between the 16 teams in the league.
For Aucagne, the young men did leave the match with an incredible highlight reel-worthy clip.
Clearing his team’s lines with a kick to touch, the flyhalf pulled off quite possibly the greatest ever 50:22 – check it out below!
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