This international player pushed out of Stade Toulousain one year before the World Cup?

In the summer of 2024, Stade Toulousain had just completed a full season with Antoine Dupont being regularly absent. The young talent had played less than 800 minutes in the Top 14 during the 2023-2024 season, after three seasons with over 1,000 minutes played. Interested in the Paris 2024 Olympics and inspired by a gold medal, the former FC Auch Gers player needed some rest. Little did he know that he would be seriously injured a few months later, leading the Toulouse management to call upon another international player to replace him: Japanese Naoto Saito.

Nearly two years after his signing, the half-back is at the end of his contract this summer in Haute-Garonne. After initially joining to help the team cope with the unavailability of their star player, he is now no longer in Toulouse’s plans for the upcoming season and is close to leaving.

The current focus of Toulouse’s recruitment efforts is on Dimitri Delibes, following extensions for Matthis Lebel, Paul Mallez, and Rodrigue Neti. With the arrival of Tommaso Menoncello, the club is nearing its limit without exceeding the Salary Cap, and has reportedly exhausted its resources for dealing with the remaining issues.

Looking ahead, the club is banking on its Dupont-Graou pair and youthful players, with Simon Daroque (20 years old) and Nathan Llaveria (19 years old) potentially getting some playing time in the future.

Naoto Saito, who may soon return to Japan, has always viewed his time in France as a temporary adventure. His decision to come to France was driven by a desire to improve his game by learning from top players and experiencing a different culture. The Japanese player’s move to France was also aimed at supporting the Japanese national team, as he is a key player under Eddie Jones.

As the possibility of Saito returning to Japan grows, it may allow him to build better chemistry with his national team by being more available for matches. Since arriving in France in 2024, Naoto Saito has made a strong impression in Haute-Garonne despite his smaller stature, showcasing impressive combativeness and quick execution that offer a different profile compared to other players on the team.

Following his arrival in France, former Japan coach Jamie Joseph praised his former half-back, describing him as a rugby purist who came to France for the challenge and the opportunity to learn from the best. The journey of Naoto Saito at Stade Toulousain has been an intriguing and promising tale, with his skills and character making a positive impact on the team.