“I never imagined living such an adventure,” said Fabrice Metz, 35, as he announced his retirement on his social networks this Wednesday. The Strasbourg native – ironically – will leave the rugby pitch after 14 years in the professional rugby world.
Trained at Racing Metro 92, then transferred to Oyonnax before playing for Section Paloise, the second-row forward had joined RC Vannes in 2024, freshly promoted to Top 14. Despite relegation to Pro D2 at the end of the season, he had honored the second year of what will be his last contract.
International… four minutes
Throughout his career, Fabrice Metz wore the French team jersey for just four minutes! In June 2016, he came on in the 76th minute to replace William Demotte during a France-Argentina test match. He would not receive any other call-ups. This was enough to become the first French international to play for RC Vannes upon his arrival in Brittany in 2024, with Anthony Bouthier not yet returning to the club at that time.
For Fabrice Metz, there remains one final challenge before hanging up his boots in peace: promotion to Top 14. He didn’t miss the opportunity to mention it in his farewell message: “It’s time to bow out at the end of this season, which I hope from the bottom of my heart will end as we dream: with a return to Top 14. This club and this city deserve it,” he wrote.
This will be the fifth retirement in the Vannes squad at the end of the season, following the departures of local legends Gwenaël Duplenne (32), Cyril Blanchard (36), Paga Tafili (39), and Jules Le Bail (34).
