The two clubs confirmed the move on Monday 7 September, two days after the first round of the Top 14. Jules Coulon was tied to Rugby Club Toulonnais until June 2027; he will now wear Catalan colours until June 2028.

Nine seasons, 53 Top 14 matches

Born in Metz on 4 July 2002, Jules Coulon joined Toulon in 2017, aged fifteen. He came through every stage of the academy before breaking into the professional squad.

In a Toulon shirt, he played 53 Top 14 matches, with 29 starts and 2,604 minutes, and 66 matches in all competitions, including the European Cup and the Challenge Cup. He scored three tries in the league.

His busiest season was his last one: seventeen Top 14 matches and 850 minutes.

A departure sealed in a week

The deal was done quickly. Talks between Toulon and Perpignan over an early release had been revealed the previous week, and an agreement was reached straight after the league resumed.

“His story with RCT began very young, at just 15, and ends today after nine years defending Toulon’s colours,” the club wrote in its farewell statement.

The player responded on social media: “It’s hard to find the words to say goodbye to a city that has been much more than a city for me. Toulon, my second home. This is where I grew up, where I built myself, both as a player and as a man.”

USAP strengthen their back row

Perpignan, who opened their season with a losing bonus point at Stade Français (28-26), gain a flanker who is available straight away. The Catalan club had made experience and leadership the priority of their summer recruitment, with eleven new arrivals.

Coulon is expected in Catalonia this week.