Louis Jouffret: Ottawa Aces’ first-pick Player

By: |
Louis Jouffret: Ottawa Aces’ first-pick Player

Louis Jouffret is the first and right now, the only player for the Ottawa Aces XIII.

According to The Canadian Press, he started his career with Saint-Esteve XIII Catalan in France’s Elite 1 competition in 2015, on course to joining the Ottawa Aces. He is currently with the Featherstone Rovers, before he earns a cap for the new US-based rugby league franchise.

Ottawa Aces’ first-pick player: Louis Jouffret

Louis Jouffret career Profile

Louis Jouffret is still quite young at only 24 years of age. Still, even at his age, he has made a name of himself in the second-tier Championship. Most notably, was his 2019 Championship season with the Batley Bulldogs, where he made 28 appearances and scored 14 tries and 42 goals according to Love Rugby League.

His other notable season was with Whitehaven RLFC in the 2016 Championship season. In that season, he appeared in 25 games and scored five tries and 53 goals.

In the 2020 Championship season [to date] with the Featherstone Rovers, he has already played in five games and scored two tries. Jouffret could also play more games for the Featherstone Rovers this autumn according to Ben McKenna of The Yorkshire Post.

Laurent Frayssinous on the Ottawa Aces’ signing

Laurent Frayssinous, first-ever head coach of the Ottawa Aces XIII, had huge praise for Jouffret. Quoting The Canadian Press, “I am delighted to have Louis on board with us,” Ottawa coach Laurent Frayssinous said.

“He is someone who I have known for a long time, and has worked hard the last few years to improve and establishes himself as a great halfback at this moment in time.”

Frayssinous obviously sees something in Louis Jouffret. It is possible that he would have his first experience in Super League with an Ottawa Aces XIII shirt one day. It would be like Blake Wallace having his first Super League game as a member of the Toronto Wolfpack.

Overview of the Ottawa Aces’ first-pick signing

While the signing is exciting, it was expected. Furthermore, the fact that the first player is from France is also not surprising. Frayssinous was born and bred in France and has connections to many French players in France.

An Indication of What the Ottawa Aces XIII Will Look Like.

This is what Eric Perez said according to James Gordon of Love Rugby League:

“We’ll have some French players, some Canadians and a base of good Brits who know the competition best, a mix of crafty veterans and young talent, that can mix and create a good team spirit, which is important when you’re away together for 13/14 weeks of the year.”

He also stated in the article that there will not be many Australians and Kiwi players on the team: “There will be very few Australians or Kiwis in our first couple of years and we’ll recruit as many Canadians as possible.”

Yes, southwest France is a rugby league stronghold, but they have only two professional sports teams in the Rugby Football League (RFL) or the British rugby league system. The Aces are now another gateway for French rugby league players to earn professional contracts with.

Louis Jouffret and ‘future’ Ottawa signings

The French half-back, who was born in Avignon, France, will find himself comfortable in Ottawa. There are many people in Ottawa who speak both English and French. It is quite different than Toronto and New York City, where English is the predominant language.

In fact, 37.63% of people in Ottawa speak both English and French according to Statistics Canada. Lastly, the signing of Jouffret was significant. People in the coming years will ask who was the first-ever Aces player signed. The answer would be Louis Jouffret.

Furthermore, expect more Aces players to be signed in the near future. Matty Fozard of the London Broncos has already been linked with the club.

 

“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images

Post Views: 36

Sevens Series working group in reaction to Covid-19
Rugby Players mindset, and returning to play