Morgan Parra

Morgan Parra (born 15 November 1988) is a French rugby union player who plays as a Scrum-half and occasionally Fly-half. He plays for Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 after signing for them from Bourgoin. He is of Portuguese origin through his father, Antonio.[1][2][3]

Morgan Parra
Birth nameMorgan Parra
Date of birth (1988-11-15) 15 November 1988
Place of birthMetz, France
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight77 kg (12 st 2 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half / Fly-half
Current team ASM Clermont Auvergne
Youth career
1993–2003
2003–2005
2005–2006		 Metz
Dijon
Bourgoin-Jallieu
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2009
2009–		 Bourgoin
Clermont		 62
307		 (82)
(1,303)
Correct as of 8 December 2019
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2008
2008–		 France U20
France		 10
71		 (26)
(370)
Correct as of 10 February 2019

Career

Parra started playing rugby aged four for Metz.[4] He made his debut for France aged 19 as a replacement against Scotland in the 2008 Six Nations Championship, making his first start for France in a defeat to England at the Stade de France. He is also a front-line goal-kicker, having taken on the mantle at Test level.[5]

At club level he came to prominence with Top 14 strugglers Bourgoin, before moving to heavyweights Clermont Auvergne in 2009 replacing Pierre Mignoni and striking up a strong partnership with Australian fly-half Brock James.

In 2010 Parra was instrumental in guiding France to a Six Nations Grand Slam. He was picked partly after Julien Dupuy who was first choice in the 2009 autumn internationals was banned for eye gouging. After being paired with the equally youthful Francois Trinh-Duc at halfback he produced a number of masterful performances, including a rout of reigning champions Ireland at the Stade de France.

After the Grand Slam his fame and popularity rose in France, and is popular not just at his club but a darling to the French media and public.

Style
Parra directing his forwards

Parra is known as a particularly vocal leader of the pack and is known in France as the petit général. He is a reliable kicker.[6]

References
  1. "Morgan Parra: "Portugal é muito importante para mim"" (in Portuguese). MaisFutebol.iol.pt. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  2. "Commando Parra" (in French). LExpress.fr. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  3. "Parra: En passant par la Lorraine" (in French). RMCSport.bfmt.com. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  4. "Parra: En passant par la Lorraine" (in French). RMCSport.bfmt.com. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  5. "ESPN Scrum: Morgan Parra profile". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  6. "Beware the petit general". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.