2023 will reportedly be France legend Morgan Parra’s final year as a professional rugby player as he is set to bring an end to a 17-year-long career.
The 34-year-old played 71 times for France, the last of which came before the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Parra to move into coaching
The experienced scrumhalf is set to take up a role in the Stade Francais technical staff, according to French broadcasters Canal+.
While Parra spent most of his career representing Clermont, he moved to Paris this season, joining Stade Francais. He is now set to join Gonzalo Quesada’s coaching staff.
The report adds that although he will retire at the end of the season, but could extend his playing career by a few months during the Rugby World Cup.
Brad Weber is reportedly on his way to the Top 14 club, and if he is named in the All Blacks World Cup squad, he could cover for the New Zealander until the end of the tournament.
Playing career
Parra made his first steps in professional rugby with Bourgoin, who he represented between 2006 and 2009.
During that time, he represented the France u20s and made his senior Test debut coming off the bench against Scotland in the 2008 Six Nations. A first start followed just two weeks later against England.
The move to Clermont in 2009 was immediately profitable as he won his first Top 14 title in his debut season and played his part in France’s Six Nations Grand Slam.
He went on to play over 300 times for Clermont, forming a striking combination with Camille Lopez, who he started alongside 93 times for the club.
He helped the side reach three Champions Cup Finals and won one Challenge Cup and two Top 14 titles.
During his test career, he made 71 appearances for Les Bleus, starting 45 times and scoring 370 points. He also went to two Rugby World Cups, 2011 and 2015, missing out on the squad in 2019.
His game management and ability around the pitch earned him the nickname ‘le petit general’ in France, meaning the little general.
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