Joël Merkler

Joël Merkler
Birth nameJoël Merkler-Pérez
Date of birth (2001-10-25) 25 October 2001 (age 23)
Place of birthGelida, Spain
Height1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄2 in)
Weight128 kg (282 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead prop, lock
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–
2022–		 → FCTT [fr]
Toulouse		 6
32		 (0)
(5)
Correct as of 28 June 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Spain 9 (5)
Correct as of 26 May 2024

Joël Merkler (born 25 October 2001) is a Spanish international rugby union player, who plays for Toulouse.[1]

Club career

Started playing in Club de Rugby Sant Cugat and later having rose through the Stade Toulousain academy [fr], Joël Merkler first played his senior rugby on loan for their amateur neighbour of FCTT [fr] 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 [fr] 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

Merkler 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

A 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

Toulouse

References

  1. ^ "Player profile". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b "La conexión francesa". Veintidós (in Spanish). 11 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Seniors - Recrutement saison 2020-2021 terminé !". TOEC TOAC FCT Rugby (in French). 22 July 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Le FCTT logiquement..." U.S.S.S. Rugby [fr] (in French). La Dépêche du Midi. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  5. ^ Muzeau, Sylvain (6 June 2021). "Reichel/Espoirs Élite : Le Stade Toulousain à la fête". Fédération Française de Rugby (in French). Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Toulouse beat Leinster 31-22 in thrilling Champions Cup final". France 24. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Antoine Dupont inspires Toulouse to European glory in extra time epic". www.rugbypass.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "España tiene equipo para Los Teros: Debutan Alvarado y Güemes". Veintidós (in Spanish). 31 October 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b "La otra España (y 2)". Veintidós (in Spanish). 16 December 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.


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