Age18 (31 July 2000) BornGonesse, Paris Club
Racing 92 CountryFrance PositionBack-rowW
hat sports did you play
growing up? I played a
lot of football. It was a
natural choice for me
coming from Paris; it’s
all you see – on the streets, on the telly.
When did you first get to play rugby?
I was 13, at a club called Sarcelles. It was
my first sports teacher who encouraged
me to do so, saying I was better suited
to the sport. I owe him a lot.
After a year, I went to Massy, which is
a bigger club. I stopped playing football
at that point. Rugby has a conviviality for
me that doesn’t exist in football. It’s a lot
more sociable and I love that element.
What do you most enjoy about rugby?
The contact, the tackling, the physicality,
although I like to think my biggest
strength is my attacking game. I love
running with the ball and to offload.
Who are your heroes? Billy Vunipola is
a real hero of mine. It’s his style of play
I love. I made a point of watching the
European final and he was fantastic.
When did you first link up with Racing
92? I was 16 when first approached by
Racing but I didn’t want to go. I was
really enjoying life at Massy, the friends I
had there. I don’t have an agent so it was
my parents and family who eventually
convinced me to go, but I’m happy now.
My first season was after my first U
World Championship. It was a well-timed
transition because I arrived with a little
bit more experience. And Racing helped
me to return this year as a better player.
What are your goals for the next year?
My short-term goal is just to perform well
for the club. Of course, I’d love to play
for the international
side, and if my phone
rings I’d be delighted,
but for the minute it’s
not my objective.
What do you do away
from rugby? I watch
a lot of football, go to
the cinema, have a
drink with friends.
I like to travel and
I’d love to visit New
Zealand or Australia
to experience the
culture there and a
different way of life. 2
JORDAN
JOSEPH
RW VERDICT
With two U20 world
titles to his name at
the age of 18, he’s well
on his way to living
up to expectation.
He was a vital cog in
a dominant French
team again this year.
Don’t be fooled by
his frame into thinking
he’s just a powerful
carrier; he has it all.