UBB's Louis Bielle-Biarrey eyes shock SVNS switch - report

France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is considering a switch to SVNS ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to RMC Sport.

The 22-year-old is understood to want to represent France in LA28, following the path taken by Antoine Dupont, who helped deliver gold on home soil at Paris 2024.

Bielle-Biarrey is currently out of contract with Union Bordeaux-Bègles and is in negotiations over an extension. His Olympic ambitions are a key part of those discussions, with any new deal likely to include provisions to allow involvement with the France sevens programme.

A renewal is expected, with the winger in line to sign one of the most lucrative contracts in French rugby.

Presumably, the terms would need to balance club commitments with potential SVNS appearances and international windows.

Any switch to actually playing the SVNS circuit would likely come following next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Bielle-Biarrey has become one of the biggest names in the sport in the space of two years, and his pace and finishing could make him an astonishing weapon in the short form of the game.

His addition would represent a massive boost for the Olympic champions as they begin the LA28 cycle.

For now, talks with UBB are ongoing, with clarity on his contract likely to determine whether – or more importantly, when – any theoretical switch to sevens materialises.

It is understood that Bordeaux will have to cut a number of their wider squad in order to make room for LBB’s new salary demands under the already generous LNR cap.

At present, Bielle-Biarrey is understood to earn circa €350,000 per year (gross), while Damian Penaud (€600k) and Matthieu Jalibert (€850k) are Bordeaux’s highest-paid players.

It’s very likely the superstar will want a salary well north of €500k, given his importance to the side and standing within French rugby. He’s scored an astonishing 34 tries this season, averaging over a try a game for UBB and France.