| 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.
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]