Three promising players from the Americas – two from Argentina and one from Canada – are heading to France to join the academy program at Top 14 club Pau. Joel Sclavi, Ignacio Calles, and Matt Beukeboom will make the move in their first steps towards becoming fully professional players.

A name familiar to Canadian fans is Beukeboom, though perhaps not him in person. Older brother Brett is a seasoned professional with 18 caps and a World Cup to his name, and cousin Tyson is an established member of the Canadian senior women's team. His uncle is former professional hocker player Brett Beukeboom. Matt is a 19-year-old second row who leaves the Lindsay club on Ontario, and also the esteemed Queen's Gaels university side to begin his overseas experience. Earlier this year he was included in the Canada u20 team that traveled to Texas to play the All-Americans. He remains eligible for that team in 2017.

The signings are the latest in a recent trend of young Americas players refining their trades in French academies. Canada's Paul Ciulini and Argentinean Manuel Plaza were recent announcements, while USA hopeful Christian Ostberg and Brazilian international Luiz Vieira are already on the books of other academies.

Section Paloise, or Pau as it is colloquially known as, currently houses former Pumas midfielder Santiago Fernandez and current Canadian lock Cameron Pierce. Also in its academy ranks are new Canada cap Matt Tierney, while the senior side boasts international stars such as All Blacks Conrad Smith, Colin Slade, and newly-signed Tom Taylor. Joining them for this coming season is former Wallaby captain Ben Mowen and Toulon star Steffon Armitage.

Beukeboom was named an OUA All-Star and the OUA Rookie of the Year, helping lead the Gaels to an OUA Championship in 2015.