The Big Name Signings In The PROD2 This Season

The Big Name Signings In The PROD2 This Season

France's second division competition kicks off on Thursday with the two sides who were relegated from the Top 14, Bayonne and Agen, kicking the season off.

While the PROD2 is not France's premier professional competition, there are a number of well-known players featuring this season. 

We take a look at some of the top signings ahead of the new season.

Jaba Bregvadze - Agen

Georgia's hooker Jaba Bregvadze (C) pushes with teammates and scores a try during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Georgia and Uruguay at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya on September 29, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)


Georgian hooker Jaba Bregvadze arrives at Agen ahead of the new season. A free agent after the Sunwolves were kicked out of Super Rugby, Bregvadze brings plenty of experience with over 60 test caps for his country. 

Agen were winless in the TOP14 last season and the powerful hooker will look to turn the fortunes of the club in 2021/22.


Harry Sloan - Agen

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Harry Sloan of Saracens is tackled by Charlie Thacker of Nottingham during the Greene King IPA Championship match between Nottingham and Saracens at Lady Bay on May 01, 2021 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Former England u20s centre Harry Sloan arrives in France off the back of helping Saracens regain promotion to the Premiership.

He has also had stints at Ealing Trailfinders and Harlequins.

Peter Betham - Provence from Clermont

Peter Betham of Clermont celebrates his try during the Top 14 match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and Stade Rochelais on August 25, 2019 in Clermont-Ferrand, France. (Photo by Romain Biard/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

A two-time Wallaby, Peter Betham helped Clermont win the Challenge Cup in 2019 making over 70 appearances for the club he joined from the Leicester Tigers.

The 32-year-old provides his new side Provence with options at centre and on the wing.

Eroni Sau - Provence from Edinburgh

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 10: Eroni Sau of Fiji charges forward during the International Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Nicknamed “the Sledgehammer”, five test cap winger Eroni Sau is a huge signing for Provence as they look to force their way into promotion reckoning.

Released by Edinburgh at the end of the 2020/21 season, Sau has experience in France with Perpignan.

Chris Talakai - Bayonne

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Waratahs player Chris Talakai (18) waits for a referee decision at week 17 of Super Rugby between NSW Waratahs and Brumbies on June 08, 2019 at Western Sydney Stadium in NSW, Australia. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A shrewd signing by Bayonne who were relegated from the Top 14 last season. The 27-year-old tighthead has been a regular in the Waratahs' squad since 2019. 

Competition at tighthead at the Waratahs saw him receive limited minutes for the side in 2021 but the solid front-rower will look to make a splash as the club aim to bounce back into the Top 14.

Uzair Cassiem - Bayonne

Uzair CASSIEM of Aviron Bayonnais during the Friendly match between Bayonne and Pau at Stade Jean Dauger on August 19, 2021 in Bayonne, France. (Photo by Pierre Costabadie/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

A fan favourite at the Scarlets, Cassiem earned eight test caps for the Springboks.

The back-rower joins Bayonne off the back of a three-year stint in west Wales.

Shaun Venter - Bayonne

Shaun VENTER of Aviron Bayonnais during the Friendly match between Bayonne and Pau at Stade Jean Dauger on August 19, 2021 in Bayonne, France. (Photo by Pierre Costabadie/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

A talented scrumhalf, Venter joins Bayonne from Ospreys who he joined back in 2019.

A standout for the Cheetahs during his time with the side between 2014 and 2019, Venter never really quite kicked off at Ospreys and will be looking to set the PROD2 to alight.

Yann David - Bayonne

Yann DAVID of Castres during the Top 14 match between Toulon and Castres at Felix Mayol Stadium on October 23, 2020 in Toulon, France. (Photo by Alexandre Dimou/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Bayonne have done some good business ahead of the new season with a number of players departing the club following their relegation.

The experienced centre has spent most of his career in the top flight of French rugby featuring for Toulouse between 2009 and 2018 before joining Castres.

He adds further experience to the side who will be eager to get back into the Top 14.

Isaia Toeava - Bayonne

Isaia TOEAVA of Toulon during the Top 14 match between Toulon and Brive at Felix Mayol Stadium on November 6, 2020 in Toulon, France. (Photo by Alexandre Dimou/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

The 35-year-old All Black is not done yet! Isaia Toeava is sticking around for one more season at least joining Bayonne after a season with Toulon.

The 37 test cap international joined Toulon last season after a successful stint with Clermont between 2016 and 2020. 

His ability to play multiple positions in the backline, including flyhalf which he did for Toulon last season, and is yet another smart signing by Bayonne.

Lionel Beauxis - Beziers

Lionel BEAUXIS of Oyonnax during the play-off match Pro D2 between Perpignan and Oyonnax at Stade Aime Giral on May 30, 2021 in Perpignan, France. (Photo by Alexandre Dimou/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

The popular French pivot has extended his career by another season at least after being released by Oyonnax.

The 35-year-old represented France 24 times between 2007 and 2018. He joins Beziers after stints with the likes of Pau, Stade Francais, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon.

The show goes on.

TJ Ioane - Bourg-en-Bresse

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 23: James Cronin of Munster vies with TJ Ioane of Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on November 23, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The 32-year-old Samoan back-rower arrives at Bourg-en-Bresse after a stint on loan with Glasgow.

The versatile back-rower has played for the likes of Otago, The Highlanders, Sale Sharks and London Irish.

Elia Elia - Bourg-en-Bresse

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Elia Elia of Harlequins looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and London Irish at Twickenham Stoop on January 10, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Elia Elia joins his fellow countryman at Bourg-en-Bresse ahead of the 2021/22 season after a successful 2020/21 with Harlequins.

The Premiership winning hooker makes his first move since joining Quins at the Stoop in 2016.

Tim Agaba - Carcassonne

Tim Agaba

The 32-year-old former South African Sevens star joins Carcassonne after a stint with the Bulls.

His ability to play lock and all three back-row positions adds plenty of value to the side that finished mid-table last season.

Johnny Mcphillips - Carcassonne

WORCESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Johnny McPhillips of Leicester Tigers looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Worcester Warriors and Leicester Tigers at Sixways Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Worcester, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Former Ireland u20s pivot Johnny McPhillips heads to France off the back of a stint with Leicester Tigers.

Helping the side reach the Challenge Cup Final, McPhillips played for the Premiership side 14 times last season scoring 50 points. 

He heads to Carcassonne following stints with the likes of Ulster, Nottingham, Doncaster and Leicester.

Michele Campagnaro - Colomiers

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Harlequins' Michele Campagnaro is tackled by Gloucester's Chris Harris during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby at on December 1, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

An injury-hit final season at Harlequins sees the Italian international head to France. 

Campagnaro will look to make an impact for his new club having last featured in December 2020. 

Campagnaro had stints with Exeter Chiefs, Wasps and Harlequins in the Premiership having started his career with Benetton.

Shaun Adendorff - Nevers

GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Shaun Adendorff of Northampton Saints dives in to score his side's third try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester and Northampton Saints at Kingsholm Stadium on January 30, 2021 in Gloucester, England.

After a season and a half with Northampton Saints, Shaun Adendorff returns to the PROD2, this time with USON Nevers.

A powerful back-rower, Adendorff is another arrival who has played for the South African Sevens team. 

The former SA u20 back-rower also played for the Bulls between 2017 and 2018.

Darren Sweetnam - Oyonnax 

La Rochelle's Irish full back Darren Sweetnam (L) runs with the ball during the French Top 14 rugby union match between Montpellier and La Rochelle at the GGL stadium in Montpellier, southern France on May 8, 2021. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP) (Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Another move for the Irish International Darren Sweetnam.

After a short stint with La Rochelle last season, Sweetnam heads Oyonnax after 6 appearances in the TOP14 for La Rochelle scoring two tries.

Sweetnam represented Munster over 80 times before moving to France.

Alexandru Tarus - Rouen

Alexandru Tarus of Zebre with a head injury during the rugby Guinness Pro14 match Zebre Rugby Club v Benetton Treviso at the Lanfranchi Stadium in Parma, Italy on December 21, 2019 (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

With over 30 test caps for Romania, Alexandru Tarus is a handy addition to the Rouen pack heading to France via Italian club Zebre.

Tarus has experience in France having represented Beziers between 2015 and 2017 before joining Sale Sharks and later Zebre.

Rudy Paige - Vannes

NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 29: Rudy Paige of the Sunwolves makes a break during the round five Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Sunwolves at McLean Park on February 29, 2020 in Napier, New Zealand. (Photo by Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images for SUNWOLVES)

Rudy Paige returns for a second stint in France after joining Clermont on loan during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The former Springbok scrumhalf has been a free agent since the 2020 Super Rugby season was cancelled and work his way back to fitness with Cape Town-based club Hamiltons.

Paige could play a major role for Vannes this season after they narrowly missed out on the PROD2 Final last season as Biarritz edged them 33-34 in the semi-final. 

Rodney Ah You - Vannes

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Newcastle Falcons Rodney Ah You during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons at Twickenham Stoop on June 12, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Another sharp signing by Vannes as they look to build on next season.

Rodney Ah You, 32, played for the likes of Connacht, Ulster and Newcastle before heading to Vannes.

He also represented Ireland on three occasions. 

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