Théo Forner

Théo Forner

Date of birth	(2001-10-17) 17 October 2001 (age 23) [1]
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Weight	80 kg (176 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2022- Perpignan () National sevens team Years Team Comps 2023- France 7s
Medal record Men's rugby sevens Representing  France Olympic Games 2024 Paris Team competition

Théo Forner (born 17 October 2001) is a French rugby union player. He plays at full-back or wing for USA Perpignan and the France national rugby sevens team.

Early and personal life

From Espira-de-l'Agly in the north-east of Pyrénées-Orientales, his grandfather played rugby union as a prop and his father played rugby league at Estagel before also playing rugby union. He played as a youngster at Esc-Bac-Asp in Espira-de-l'Agly and was educated in Perpignan at Maillol high school. In 2019 he was recruited into the academy at USAP, originally playing at fly-half but then converted to wing.^[3] He is of Catalan descent.^[4]

Career

A winger, he came through the academy at USAP and made his debut in the EPCR Challenge Cup during the 2021-22 season. The following season he made his league debut for the club.^[5]

He made an impact after making his debut for the France national rugby sevens team, and was nominated for Rugby Sevens rookie of the year in May 2023.^[6][7]

In 2024, he played as France won bronze in the 2024 Canada Sevens leg of the 2023-24 SVNS, and his performances led to him being nicknamed the "Prince of Vancouver" in the media. He then scored a try in the final of the 2024 USA Sevens in Los Angeles as France beat Great Britain in the final for their first international tournament win for 19 years. He also won his 50th cap for the France sevens team during the competition.^[8] In June 2024, he scored in the final as France won the 2024 Spain Sevens in Madrid.^[9]

In July 2024, he was confirmed in the French team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.^[10]

References

1. "Theo Forner". All Rugby. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
2. "Theo Forner". itsrugby. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
3. Bissonnet, Vincent (23 February 2002). "Rugby 7s - Oval family, named by World Rugby, Prince of Vancouver...: who is Théo Forner?". rugbyrama. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
4. "Top 14 – USAP : Théo Forner prolonge son bail de 3 ans avec son club de toujours". lindependant.fr.
5. Richaud, Guilhem (14 April 2023). "Rugby Union - Top 14: Toulon, a passing exam for the young USAP winger, Théo Forner". lindependant.fr. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
6. "Duarttee darts away with World Series award". supersport. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
7. "Rugby 7s: Catalan Théo Forner selected with the French team for the launch of the world circuit in Dubai". lindependent. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
8. Manière, Cyrille (4 March 2024). "Théo Forner's triumph with the French rugby sevens team". francebleu. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
9. "HSBC SVNS 2024: France deny Argentina to become men's HSBC SVNS Champions". World.Rugby. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
10. "Dupont's Olympic selection confirmed as French rugby federation announces squads for Paris Games". abcnews. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.