Six teenagers extend at O'Gara's La Rochelle, including English-qualified prop and 147kg Australian

La Rochelle have turned their attention to the future after their season came to an abrupt end on Sunday, securing six of their academy members to new deals.

Having snuck into the Top 14’s top six on the final weekend of the regular season, Ronan O’Gara’s side saw their campaign ended in emphatic fashion with a 45-5 quarter-final defeat to Stade Francais on Sunday. Days later, the club have announced new ‘Espoir’ contracts for Nolhann Couillaud, Igor Gatteau, Maxence Ligeron, Paco Scheibel, Zak Price and Visesio Kite.

The most eye-catching name is Kite, the 17-year-old Australian who arrived from the Queensland Reds pathway in 2024. The former Australia U16 representative generated headlines when he joined La Rochelle as a reported 2.04m, 147kg teenager, with the club viewing him as a long-term project who has already featured at tighthead prop at U18 level and lock for the U21s.

Having already progressed from the Crabos (U18s) side into the Espoirs (U21s) set-up, Kite has now signed through to 2028. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to stay in a place that has become my new home,” he said. “I thank the club for believing in me and for supporting me both on and off the pitch since I joined this adventure.”

Another player who will attract attention beyond France is English-qualified tighthead Zak Price. The Franco-English front-rower joined La Rochelle’s academy at U16 level and captained the club’s Crabos side before earning selection for France U20 Development this season. He has committed his future until 2028.

“I am very proud that the club is giving me the opportunity to represent its colours,” Price said.

Couillaud, meanwhile, may be the closest to establishing himself in the senior squad. The scrum-half has already made eight professional appearances and was selected for France U20 during this year’s Six Nations before injury cut his campaign short. He is joined by fellow France U20 Development representatives second-row Gatteau and prop Ligeron in signing until 2027.

The final member of the group is centre Scheibel, a France U18 Sevens international who helped his country win the European U18 Championship.