After Louis Bielle-Biarrey, two more deals were wrapped up on the same day in Bordeaux. They involve the same area of the pitch, and both players were expected to leave only a few weeks ago.

Gazzotti stays despite Toulouse interest

Marko Gazzotti, 21, who has four caps for France, has accepted a two-year extension that ties him to UBB until June 2029. The former Grenoble player had been tipped to leave, with Stade Toulousain named as his likely destination, and his salary demands were described as the main obstacle. Bordeaux eventually raised their offer.

Last season, he played 18 Top 14 matches, 12 of them as a starter, for 894 minutes.

Bochaton signs for three more years

Pierre Bochaton, 25, who has three caps, has agreed to three more seasons, also until 2029. Having arrived from US Bressane in 2021, he has become a regular starter: 16 Top 14 matches last season, 12 starts and 1,015 minutes, more than Gazzotti.

He won his third cap against New Zealand in early July.

Three deals done, several still open

With Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s extension until 2029, UBB have secured three key players in the space of a few days, against a backdrop of tension over the salary cap.

Other contracts in the same squad expire in June 2027, notably those of Arthur Retière, already courted by several clubs, and Boris Palu, who is in talks with the club’s management.