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Morgan Parra

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Morgan Parra
Birth nameMorgan Parra
Date of birth (1988-11-15) 15 November 1988 (age 36)
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
Youth career
1993–2003 Metz
2003–2005 Dijon
2005–2006 Bourgoin
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2009 Bourgoin 62 (108)
2009–2022 Clermont 300 (2,301)
2022–2023 Stade Français 17 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2008 France U20 10 (26)
2008–2019 France 71 (370)

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

Career

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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 Parra 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 François Trinh-Duc at half-back, he produced a number of masterful performances, including a rout of reigning champions Ireland at the Stade de France.

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

On 23 October 2021 Parra completes a record series of 48 successful penalty kicks in a row against Pau.[6]

On 5 June 2022 Parra played his last match for Clermont Auvergne as he signed to play for State Francais from 2022 onwards.[7]

Style

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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.[8]

Honours

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Club

Clermont

Top 14 Winner (2): 2010, 2017

European Rugby Challenge Cup Winner: 2019

International

France

Six Nations Winner: 2010

Grand Slam Winner: 2010

Rugby World Cup Runner Up: 2011

References

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  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. 4 February 2011. 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. ^ L'Équipe, Morgan Parra (Clermont) s'arrête à 48 coups de pied réussis d'affilée[1]
  7. ^ "Hans-Peter Wild confirme l'arrivée de Morgan Parra au Stade Français la saison prochaine". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Beware the petit general". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
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