Joël Merkler (born 25 October 2001) is a Spanish international rugby union player, who plays for Toulouse.[1]
| Birth name | Joël Merkler-Pérez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 25 October 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Gelida, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 128 kg (282 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editStarted playing in Club de Rugby Sant Cugat and later having rose through the Stade Toulousain academy, Joël Merkler first played his senior rugby on loan for their amateur neighbour of FCTT in Fédérale 1 for the 2020–21 season.[2][3][4] Still playing with the espoirs of the Top 14 club, he won the national under-21 championship in June 2021.[5]
On May 25, 2024, Merkler wins the European Champions Cup final with Tolouse 's victory against Leinster (31 - 22) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. [6] [7]
International career
editMerkler made his debut for Spain on 1 November 2021, replacing Andrés Alvarado during a remarkable 20–32 away win over Uruguay, that had just qualified for 2023 World Cup, as the American top team.[8][9][10]
Style of play
editA tall and fairly massive player, Merkler is able to play both as a prop (mainly a tighthead) or a lock, higher in the forward pack.[2][10]
Honours
edit- Toulouse
- 1× European Rugby Champions Cup: 2024
- 2× Top 14: 2023, 2024
References
edit- ^ "Player profile". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ a b "La conexión francesa". Veintidós (in Spanish). 11 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Seniors - Recrutement saison 2020-2021 terminé !". TOEC TOAC FCT Rugby (in French). 22 July 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Le FCTT logiquement..." U.S.S.S. Rugby (in French). La Dépêche du Midi. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ Muzeau, Sylvain (6 June 2021). "Reichel/Espoirs Élite : Le Stade Toulousain à la fête". Fédération Française de Rugby (in French). Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Toulouse beat Leinster 31-22 in thrilling Champions Cup final". France 24. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Antoine Dupont inspires Toulouse to European glory in extra time epic". www.rugbypass.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Zarpazo de España en Uruguay (20-32) para abrir la temporada internacional". Federación Española de Rugby (in Spanish). 1 November 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "España tiene equipo para Los Teros: Debutan Alvarado y Güemes". Veintidós (in Spanish). 31 October 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ a b "La otra España (y 2)". Veintidós (in Spanish). 16 December 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
External links
edit- Joël Merkler at ESPNscrum
- Stade Toulousain profile (in French)
- FFR profile
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