Axel Desperes
| Birth name | Axel Desperes Rigou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 16 January 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pau, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 77 kg (12 st 2 lb; 170 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Axel Desperes (born 16 January 2004) is a French rugby union player who plays as a Fly-half for Pau in the Top 14 competition and the France national under-20 team. He made his Top 14 debut with his club on 28 January 2022.
Playing career
[edit]Desperes started rugby for his hometown club in 2009..[1] In 2018, he later secured a contract with Pau and joined the Top 14 club at the end of the 2018–19 season.[2]
Desperes featured prominently in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,[3] participating in three matches against Italy, Wales, and Scotland.[4] Despite his contributions, he was not chosen for the victorious France national under-20 rugby union team, with his position taken by teammate Clément Mondinat.[5]
His debut in the EPCR Challenge Cup for Section Paloise occurred in 2022 against Dragons RFC,[6][7] while his first appearance in the Top 14 for Pau was against RC Toulon[8] at Stade Mayol in the 2022–23 Top 14 season.[9]
During the 2023–24 Top 14 season, Desperes seized the opportunity to gain more playing time due to Joe Simmonds' injury. Notably, he delivered an outstanding performance at Stade Chaban-Delmas against Union Bordeaux Bègles, contributing to Pau's victory.[10] Throughout this period, he contended with Clément Mondinat, another under-20 international fly-half, to serve as Joe Simmonds' replacement.[11]
During the season, Desperes proved to be a versatile player, alternating between fly-half and center positions.[12] In a crucial match for Champions Cup qualification against Racing 92, Desperes was deployed at fullback due to Jack Maddocks' suspension.[13]
Desperes was selected to represent France U20 during the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[14] He competed in matches against Scotland and Ireland.[15]
Axel Desperes has been selected to represent the France national under-20 rugby union team at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa. Joining him from Section Paloise are Brent Liufau, Thomas Souverbie, and Fabien Brau-Boirie[16][17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Section Paloise : de Servant à Desperes, l'héritage tricolore du rugby garlinois". SudOuest.fr (in French). 20 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Axel DESPERES". www.section-paloise.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Sept Palois dans la liste de l'équipe de France des moins de 20 ans pour préparer le Tournoi". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Axel DESPERES - FFR". Fédération Française de Rugby (in French). Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Top 14. Section Paloise : Desperes et Mondinat, dignes héritiers des n°10 béarnais". SudOuest.fr (in French). 17 August 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Pau Vs Dragons RFC at Stade du Hameau, Pau 13th Jan 2023". www.ultimaterugby.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Desperes supreme as Pau topple Totoya Cheetahs | Challenge Cup". www.epcrugby.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "RC Toulon - Section Paloise - J16 - 2022-2023 | Top 14 - Site Officiel". Ligue Nationale de Rugby (in French). Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "RCT - Section Paloise : Axel Desperes, l'énorme surprise du chef". LaRepubliqueDesPyrenees (in French). 27 January 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Top 14 : Pau frappe fort face à l'UBB, Montpellier écrase le Racing 92... Tous les résultats". Le Figaro (in French). 17 February 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Top 14. Section Paloise : Axel Desperes, l'intérimaire inspiré". SudOuest.fr (in French). 17 February 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Top 14. Section Paloise : Axel Desperes, l'intérimaire inspiré". SudOuest.fr (in French). 17 February 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Top 14. Racing 92 - Section Paloise : Axel Desperes arrière surprise, Steven Cummins 2e ligne rescapé". LaRepubliqueDesPyrenees (in French). 31 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Axel Desperes - France - Guinness Men's Six Nations". www.sixnationsrugby.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Rugby - Tournoi des 6 nations U20 : une charnière 100% Section et un troisième Palois d'entrée en Ecosse". LaRepubliqueDesPyrenees (in French). 7 February 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Mathis Castro-Ferreira et Hugo Reus avec les Bleuets pour le Mondial U20 en Afrique du Sud". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Les Bleuets sans Patrick Tuifua au Mondial". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 27 June 2024.