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Louis Bielle-Biarrey has broken the mould, a free-scoring, diminutive but feisty wing, the France and Bordeaux Begles has proved a class above his competitors this season.
The French flyer, who dons a now iconic red scrum cap, ousted Ellie Kildunne, Antoine Dupont, Sean Lynn and Shaun Edwards to win the 2024/25 Pat Marshall Award at the Rugby Union Writers’ Club annual lunch at the Kia Oval.
Bielle-Biarrey, 21, became the first Frenchman since Dupont in 2021 and only the third player from Les Bleus to be crowned by the UK’s highly respected crop of journalists.
What made this year so special for LBB?
Bielle-Biarrey has enjoyed a remarkable campaign for club and country, winning the Six Nations and becoming the first ever player to score eight tries in the tournament since it increased to six teams.
Having taken the sport by storm over the last 12 months, he continued to smash records at the 2025 Six Nations with an unprecedented eight tries as Les Bleus stormed to the title.
For his club, the youngster has been at the centre of their drive to the Champions Cup final, with Bordeaux facing Northampton in Cardiff as they bid to win club rugby’s biggest prize for the first time.
In all, Bielle-Biarrey has scored a remarkable 31 tries in 27 games for club and country this year.
Standout moments
His two tries against Scotland came at a time when France were in danger of choking on Super Saturday, but his nous for the try line, combined with electric speed, meant Bielle-Biarrey aided Fabien Galthie's side to their first triumph since 2022.
No one will ever forget his ridiculous score against Ireland. How the hell do you run well off the pitch and still get to the ball before anyone else does? The try was simply mind-blowing and shows why his dazzling displays are worth the entrance prices alone.
Kay wishes he could be like LBB
Ben Kay, sporting a red scrum cap, represented Bielle-Biarrey at Thursday's lunch in London. An ex-England and Leicester Tigers giant second row representing a silky, diminutive wing.. Well, if the shoe fits, I guess?
Broken the mould of modern day wings
Kay, to his credit, paid a brilliant tribute to the showstopper, saying Bielle-Biarrey is a clear example of why rugby truly is a game for all shapes and sizes. In an era when rugby players seem to be getting bigger and bigger, even on the wing, if you look at the sizes of Lions call-ups: Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe and Tommy Freeman.
The French galactico is in the ilk of speedsters Shane Williams and Cheslin Kolbe with his hot-stepping ability, but he also isn't afraid to dish out the odd big hit here and there against players almost twice his size.
His showings of bravura merit the Pat Marshall Award. Kudos, Louis, and félicitations.