USON Nevers
Union Sportive Olympique Nevers Rugby (USON Nevers) is a professional rugby union club based in Nevers, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France, competing in the Pro D2, the second division of French rugby union.[1] Founded in 1903 as the Peloton d'Avant-Garde (PAG) by Gustave Bossut, the club evolved through mergers and rebranding, becoming the Union Sportive Nivernaise (USN) in 1919 and merging with Olympique Nivernais in 1954 to form the Union Sportive Olympique Nivernaise (USON).[1] It adopted its current name, USON Nevers Rugby, in 2015 alongside a modernized logo and branding to reflect its professional ambitions.[1] The club's early history featured regional success, including a reach to the semi-finals of the French Championship in 1923 and promotion to the second division (now Pro D2's predecessor).[1] After periods of challenge, including a "purgatory" in lower leagues during the 1980s, USON Nevers experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, achieving direct promotion to Fédérale 1 in 2009 and establishing a youth academy that year.[1] A pivotal milestone came in 2013 when the reserve team won the Championnat de France Nationale B, marking the club's first national trophy, while the first team advanced to the Fédérale 1 semi-finals.[1] Professionalization accelerated in 2016 with the separation into an amateur association and a professional SASP structure, followed by promotion to Pro D2 on May 13, 2017, after defeating SO Chambéry in the playoffs.[1] Since entering Pro D2, USON Nevers has maintained competitive consistency, achieving top-10 finishes in most seasons and reaching the league semi-finals in 2024.[1] The club plays its home matches at the Stade du Pré Fleuri, a venue upgraded multiple times since 2010, including in 2015, to a current capacity of 7,356 spectators and integral to both club and city heritage.[2] As of the 2025-2026 season and November 2025, with the team positioned in the top half of the Pro D2 standings, USON Nevers continues to build on its over 120-year legacy, emphasizing youth development and professional growth within the top 30 of French rugby.[1][3]History
Founding and early years
The Union Sportive Olympique Nivernaise (USON) rugby club traces its origins to 1 August 1903, when Gustave Bossut founded the Peloton d'Avant-Garde (PAG) in Nevers, France, as a multi-sport organization aimed at physical education and military preparation.[1][4] Bossut, a local military officer and sports enthusiast, established the PAG to promote athletic activities including rugby, gymnastics, and other disciplines, reflecting the era's emphasis on comprehensive physical training in provincial France.[5][6] In its early years, the PAG focused on amateur rugby within regional competitions organized by the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA), playing its first recorded match in 1911 against AS Montferrand, which it won convincingly.[7] The club quickly gained traction in the Nièvre department of the Bourgogne region, fostering community engagement through local tournaments and contributing to the growth of rugby in central France during the pre-World War I period.[6] By the 1920s, amid post-war reorganization, the PAG evolved into the Union Sportive Nivernaise (USN) around 1919–1923, narrowing its emphasis toward rugby while retaining some multi-sport elements, and reaching the semi-finals of the French Championship in 1923, leading to promotion to the second division (now Pro D2's predecessor).[1][7] Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the USN remained an amateur outfit, competing primarily in the French Rugby Federation's (FFR) regional leagues and representing Nevers as a cultural and social hub in Bourgogne, where it helped popularize rugby among working-class and youth populations.[5] Key figures like Bossut continued to influence the club's direction, emphasizing discipline and local pride, which solidified its role in the region's sporting identity before a 1954 merger with the Olympique Nivernais formed the modern USON.[4][6]Rise to professional status
USON Nevers experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, achieving direct promotion to Fédérale 1 in 2009 and establishing a youth academy that year.[1] Following the club's promotion to Fédérale 1 in 2009, USON Nevers experienced steady growth in the third tier of French rugby during the 2010s, marked by competitive performances that built toward professional aspirations.[8] In 2013, the team topped its pool but fell in the semi-finals to Lille Métropole.[1] The 2016–17 season represented a pinnacle in this era, with Nevers finishing third in the regular season standings, securing a spot in the promotion play-offs.[9] In 2015, the club underwent a significant rebranding to USON Nevers Rugby, emphasizing its rugby focus and aiming for greater national visibility through a modernized logo and structure split between a youth-focused association and a senior professional entity under SASP governance.[1] This transition coincided with strategic hires, including manager Xavier Péméja in 2015, to professionalize operations. The culmination came on May 13, 2017, when Nevers defeated SO Chambéry 35–9 in the promotion final at a sold-out Stade du Pré-Fleuri before 7,500 spectators, earning entry into the Pro D2 as the second-place promotion team behind Massy.[7] This victory marked the club's debut in second-tier professional rugby for the 2017–18 season, the first in its history.[10] The shift to professional status brought immediate challenges, including the need for infrastructure enhancements and targeted player recruitment to compete at the higher level. In 2017, the club invested in the SEVEN building to support training and administrative needs, building on prior renovations at Stade du Pré-Fleuri that had expanded capacity to 5,600 seats by 2010.[1] Recruitment efforts focused on high-profile signings to bolster the squad, such as experienced forwards and backs scouted from lower divisions and abroad, enabling Nevers to secure Pro D2 survival in its debut season by finishing 15th and avoiding relegation play-offs.[11] These adaptations laid the foundation for sustained competitiveness despite the financial and logistical demands of professional play.[12]Club identity and facilities
Emblem, colors, and name evolution
The emblem of USON Nevers Rugby features a stylized shield in the club's traditional yellow and blue colors, incorporating motifs inspired by the coat of arms of Nevers—three golden fesses on an azure field—to symbolize the sport's heritage and local pride.[13] This design was adopted in 2016 following the club's promotion to the Pro D2, modernizing the previous logo while preserving historical ties to the city's identity as the former capital of the counts of Nevers and Auxerre.[13][1] The club's colors, yellow (or) and blue (azur), have been emblematic since at least 1911, when they were prominently displayed in a match against AS Michelin on December 22.[13][6] These hues earned the team the nickname "Les Jaunets" (the Yellows), reflecting the yellow in their kits.[6][14] These colors directly reflect Nevers' municipal blason and have remained consistent through kit designs, representing resilience, patriotism, and the club's military-originated roots from its founding era.[13][4] The evolution of the club's name traces its origins to 1903, when it was established as the Peloton d'Avant-Garde (PAG) by Gustave Bossut as a military-inspired athletic group in Nevers.[1][6] By 1923, it transitioned to Union Sportive Nivernaise (USN), broadening its focus to multi-sport activities while emphasizing rugby.[1] In 1956, a merger with the rival Olympique de Nevers formed Union Sportive Olympique Nivernaise (USON), unifying the local rugby scene under a single banner.[13][1] The current designation, USON Nevers Rugby, was adopted in 2016 to project a professional, nationally recognizable identity amid the club's ascent to elite competition.[1] This visual and nominal identity holds deep significance in Nevers' local culture, fostering fan engagement through city-wide displays of yellow and blue during key matches and promotions, such as the 2017 Pro D2 ascent that filled the Pré Fleuri stadium with supporters.[1][15] The emblem and colors symbolize the club's 120-year endurance and community bonds, reinforcing Bourguignon pride and drawing generations of fans to events that blend sporting achievement with regional heritage.[13][1]Stadium and training infrastructure
The home ground of USON Nevers is the Stade du Pré Fleuri, located in Sermoise-sur-Loire just outside Nevers, France.[2] This venue serves as the primary matchday stadium for the club's professional team in the Pro D2 league. With a total capacity of 7,500 spectators, including approximately 7,100 seated places across multiple stands, it provides covered seating in key areas such as the Tribune Nièvre and Tribune Nevers Agglomération.[16][2] As of 2025, plans include installing a synthetic pitch for elite training and events, with capacity expansion to 10,331 via a new Tribune Sud.[2] The stadium serves as a multi-sport facility integral to Nevers' local sports heritage. It transitioned to rugby union exclusivity in 1982 following the removal of its athletics track, aligning with the growing prominence of the sport in the region.[2][16] Major upgrades occurred in the lead-up to and following the club's 2017 promotion to Pro D2, including stand extensions in 2013 and 2015 that increased capacity to its current level, installation of league-compliant lighting, pitch refurbishment with AirFibr technology in 2018, and addition of a 35 m² giant screen in 2014 to enhance spectator experience.[2][16] These renovations ensured compliance with professional standards, transforming the venue into a modern rugby-specific arena while preserving its historical significance.[17] Adjacent to the main stadium, the club's high-performance training center, including the SEVEN building established in 2018, supports professional operations with dedicated facilities such as expanded changing rooms, recovery areas, a gym for strength and conditioning, a medical unit, and additional pitches to meet Pro D2 requirements.[2] This infrastructure, developed post-promotion, enables year-round training for the first team and youth squads, emphasizing athlete welfare and performance optimization.[16] Attendance at Stade du Pré Fleuri has consistently ranked among the highest in Pro D2, averaging around 6,000 to 7,100 spectators per match in recent seasons, often approaching capacity for key fixtures and reflecting strong local support.[18][19] The stadium plays a vital community role beyond rugby, hosting concerts and local events that foster social cohesion in Nevers by drawing thousands together multiple times annually.[2][19]Organization and staff
Coaching and management team
As of the 2025–26 season, the coaching and management team at USON Nevers is led by Coenie Basson in the role of manager général sportif, a position he assumed at the start of the campaign following two seasons as defense coach at Lyon OU in the Top 14. A former lock who played for Nevers from 2016 to 2018, Basson brings expertise in defensive structures and physical conditioning, drawing from his South African roots and prior consulting role at the club focused on combat situations like rucking. His appointment marks a strategic shift aimed at rebuilding team cohesion after recent transitions.[20][21][22] Xavier Péméja serves as directeur sportif, having returned to the club on September 1, 2025, after a brief departure from his previous role as manager général at the end of the 2024–25 season. With a background in Top 14 coaching stints at clubs like Bayonne and a nine-year tenure at Nevers since 2016—where he guided the team to professional status—Péméja now oversees the youth pathway from cadets to the Espoirs group, emphasizing long-term player development.[23][24][25] The on-field coaching staff includes Benjamin Thiéry as defense coach, a role he has held for multiple seasons following his playing career with clubs like Biarritz and Colomiers. Phillip van Schalkwyk handles forwards and scrum coaching, leveraging his experience as a former third-line player at Nevers and his specialization in mêlée dynamics. Manu Cabanes supports as backs assistant, transitioning from youth development responsibilities, while Yannick Osmond, newly arrived from Lyon OU, acts as attack assistant with a focus on skills and kicking game, building on his prior work with espoirs teams. Pierre-Louis Marret provides support in arbitration analysis and medical assistance. These appointments reflect recent staff restructuring, including the departures of Sébastien Fouassier to Provence Rugby as forwards coach in June 2025 and Guillaume Jan to SU Agen after 15 years at Nevers.[26][27][28][29][30][31] Under Basson's leadership, the coaching philosophy prioritizes regaining a "combat identity" through robust defense and physicality, balanced with an opportunistic attack tailored to Pro D2's intensity, while integrating youth talents under Péméja's guidance to foster sustainability.[32][33]Administrative and support structure
The USON Nevers operates under a Société Anonyme Sportive Professionnelle (SASP) structure, established in 2009 to oversee the professional team's management, including sports operations, administration, stadium maintenance, public relations, partnerships, and event organization.[34] This framework integrates local stakeholder involvement, reflecting a community-oriented model where the club collaborates closely with regional entities for stability and growth. Since its professionalization, the club has benefited from municipal funding from the City of Nevers, including a €400,000 subsidy to the SASP in 2018 and ongoing support from the Nièvre department, which contributed €40,000 annually around the time of promotion.[35][36] Régis Dumange has served as president and director general since the club's rise to professional levels, also acting as a key shareholder while leading the board's focus on long-term sustainability and forging regional partnerships to enhance the club's economic viability.[37] In this role, Dumange, who was re-elected to the Ligue Nationale de Rugby's executive committee in March 2025 as Pro D2 representative, prioritizes initiatives that align with local economic development and environmental goals.[37] Post-2017 promotion to Pro D2, the club expanded its support departments to bolster operational efficiency. The medical team, headed by physician Leonardo Casini and including several physiotherapists, provides comprehensive injury prevention and rehabilitation services.[28] A dedicated scouting network supports talent identification through the centre de formation, targeting young prospects for integration into the professional and youth setups.[38] The marketing unit, featuring roles like communication officer and events manager, drives fan engagement, sponsorship acquisition, and promotional activities to strengthen the club's regional presence.[39][40] The club's financial foundation has strengthened considerably since professionalization, with its budget rising from €9 million in the 2016-2017 season—prior to Pro D2 entry—to €14.23 million for the 2025-2026 campaign, sustained largely by sponsorship deals and broadcasting revenues.[41][42] This growth underscores the SASP's emphasis on diversified funding sources to support competitive operations without over-reliance on public subsidies.Players and development
Current first-team squad
The USON Nevers first-team squad for the 2025–26 Pro D2 season comprises over 45 professional players, emphasizing a blend of experienced French talents and international recruits to bolster depth across positions.[43] The forward pack features robust props and locks with international flair, while the backs provide versatility in the half-back and outside roles. This composition supports rotation amid the demanding schedule, with no major long-term injuries reported as of November 2025, allowing for fluid squad management.[44]Forwards
| Position | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prop | Aitor Kitutu | France | 27 |
| Prop | Aselo Ikahehegi | France | 25 |
| Prop | Davit Mtchedlidze | Georgia | 21 |
| Prop | Ilya Kaikatsishvili | Georgia | 32 |
| Prop | Kamaliele Tufele | France | 30 |
| Prop | Keynan Knox | South Africa | 26 |
| Prop | Lasha Pkhakadze | Georgia | 21 |
| Hooker | Efi Ma'afu | Australia | 27 |
| Hooker | Jean-Maxence Jules-Rosette | France | 21 |
| Hooker | Luka Petriashvili | Georgia | 24 |
| Lock | Chris Gabriel | New Zealand | 25 |
| Lock | George Smith | England | 24 |
| Lock | Maxence Barjaud | France | 29 |
| Lock | Oskar Rixen | Germany | 23 |
| Lock | Ugo Vignolles | France | 22 |
| Lock | Zak Farrance | England | 29 |
| Back Row | Charlie Francoz | France | 27 |
| Back Row | Hugues Bastide | France | 33 |
| Back Row | Jason Fraser | South Africa | 34 |
| Back Row | Julien Kazubek | France | 33 |
| Back Row | Kévin Noah | France | 24 |
| Back Row | Mahamadou Coulibaly | France | 23 |
| Back Row | Phillip Kleynhans | South Africa | 22 |
| Back Row | Rati Zazadze | Georgia | 22 |
| Back Row | Steven David | France | 31 |
| Back Row | Wendemi Viellard | France | 21 |
Backs
| Position | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrum-half | Guillaume Manevy | France | 28 |
| Scrum-half | Hugo Bouyssou | France | 29 |
| Scrum-half | Jules Bousquet | France | 21 |
| Scrum-half | Simon Tarel | France | 22 |
| Fly-half | Shaun Reynolds | South Africa | 30 |
| Fly-half | Yanis Brillant | France | 20 |
| Fly-half | Yohan Le Bourhis | France | 31 |
| Centre | Atu Manu | Tonga | 27 |
| Centre | Ebenezer Tshimanga | Congo | 23 |
| Centre | Léonard Paris | France | 29 |
| Centre | Mathys Belaubre | France | 20 |
| Centre | Nicolas Ragoevi | France | 21 |
| Centre | Noa Pommelet | France | 22 |
| Centre | Rudy Derrieux | France | 31 |
| Centre | Varian Pasquet | France | 26 |
| Winger | Gabin Rocher | France | 21 |
| Winger | Johan Wasserman | South Africa | 20 |
| Winger | Liam Turner | Ireland | 26 |
| Winger | Lucas Blanc | France | 30 |
| Fullback | Dylan Jaminet | France | 23 |
| Fullback | Enoal Joguet | France | 19 |
| Fullback | Perry Mayo | France | 23 |
| Fullback | Tom Deleuze | France | 25 |