Lucien Richardis Interview: Toulouse, Spain and World Cup dreams
Spain emerging talent Richardis featured against Ireland 'A' and England 'A' back in November
©Walter Domingo Fotografia / RFER
Stade Toulousain and finding some of the game’s best talent go hand in hand.
From Ange Capuozzo to Antoine Dupont, to the likes of Thomas Ramos and Joel Merkler, the Top 14 reigning champions have a knack for discovering, developing, and polishing players like few other clubs can.
Among the new wave of stunning prodigies, a Spanish utility back has been making headlines, and that operator is Lucien Richardis.
Born and raised in Toulouse to a French father and a Spanish mother, Richardis is a player capable of producing some of the most bonkers plays you will ever see, creating more illusions than Houdini himself.
Having debuted for Toulouse last season and represented Spain’s senior teams - including against England ‘A’ last November - Richardis has shown perseverance and willpower in his quest to become a top-level player, as he explains to Talking Rugby Union.
“I like the pressure and demand that comes from the Toulouse staff,” says the 20-year-old, who didn’t feature in Spain’s Men’s Rugby Championship opener at the weekend.
“If we want to win titles and do well, we have to give it our all. If we want to keep being the winners, that’s the road we have to walk. It is the club’s mindset, and I love it.”
Having debuted for Toulouse at the age of 19 against Perpignan, Richardis feels that he is in the right place to become a renowned threat.
“For a young guy like me, it is quite amazing that I’m getting the opportunity to play for such a club as Stade Toulousain. It is the perfect club for someone like me to progress and become an elite player.”
Richardis played for RC St-Jory Bruguières from ages 3 to 13 before being scouted and invited to join Stade Toulousain in 2017.
With no fear in his heart, the talented fly-half welcomed the challenge and departed for a new adventure.
“It was an easy adaptation, as the club provided the right tools for me to feel at home from the start,” states the young Spanish international.
“However, the hard part starts now, as there’s a gap between being an Espoir and a senior player. For example, the practice sessions are more challenging, and you have to improve consistently.”
Richardis was well taken care of and developed into one of Toulouse’s most remarkable players across the youth teams before debuting for the club in 2024.
Against USA Perpignan, Richardis was named in the starting line-up, a day that he won’t ever remember, even if it ended with a defeat for the rouge-et-noir.
“The debut for the main side was incredible. Ugo Mola came to talk with me and said that he was happy with my progress and that I was going to play in Toulouse’s last game of the regular season.
“I was stressed the days before it. I just wanted to step into the field and play!”
Despite starting as a full-back, Richardis confesses he prefers to feature in the fly-half role, a position that became familiar to him from a young age.
Having played as a scrum-half, centre, full-back, and fly-half, the Spanish international explains why he favours the number 10 jersey.
“I like to dictate the way we play and to take risks. Being a fly-half gives me the freedom to search for solutions and try new stuff. It is a thrilling position.”
In a club packed with sensational utility backs that range from Romain Ntamack to Thomas Ramos, he shares that some of the club’s biggest stars have been helping him to become a better player.
“Thomas and Juan Cruz Mallía have been key to my development, as they have been helping me around and teaching me how to become a top player,” he says.
“When I’m not working as hard as I can, Ramos tells me off and pushes me to do better.
“When I made my debut against Perpignan, Ramos and Mallía sent me a message congratulating me and telling me that if I needed help, they were available to do so.”
His growth didn’t go unnoticed in Spain, and he ultimately joined the U18 and U20 camps in 2022, thanks to Ricardo Martinena.
“My first international experience was with France. I was called to join a U18 team camp, but I didn’t enjoy the environment.
“I ended up not being selected for the U18 Six Nations, but one year later, I was invited by Ricardo Martinena to join Spain’s U20s, and I did so.”
His decision to choose Spain was the right one, as he found a more positive environment to grow not only as a team player but also as a tackler and a more reliable, defensive operator.
In 2024, he made his U20 international debut against a familiar side.
“It was ironic that my first Test Match for the U20s was against France in the World Rugby U20 Championship. I met a few friends, and it turned out to be a great match. We gave them a good run for their money.”
After the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship, Richardis was called up to join the Los Leones side, with Pablo Bouza opening the door to the talented fly-half who would make his debut against Switzerland in the Rugby Europe Championship in February 2025.
For those who are not aware of the importance of the game, it was the day that Spain finally confirmed their return to a Men’s Rugby World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years, making Richard's debut all the more special.
“My debut for Spain will always be one of my favourite games, as not only did I earn my first cap but we also qualified for the Men’s World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years on that day!
“I came from the bench against Switzerland in the second half and helped the team win it.”
Richardis became a permanent member of the senior squad and collected a few more caps in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship as well as in the Autumn internationals.
Although he wasn’t available for the last game against Fiji, he was involved in the Ireland 'A' and England 'A' matches, two matches that showed the Los Leones' potential.
“Against Ireland ‘A’, we performed well, and I got to show what I could in the 20 minutes I played.
“We wanted to impress everyone, and we worked tirelessly for the England ‘A’ match and, fortunately, that clash went well [a 29-25 defeat].
“Despite the heavy pitch and rain, we showed fans what the Los Leones can do when they are in top shape.”
Richardis names more than a few reasons the Los Leones have risen back to power, but one stands out from the others: head coach Bouza.
“Pablo Bouza is doing a remarkable job as head coach. We feel we are doing better and better, playing with more confidence. The way Bouza talks with players and supports us has been key to our recent success.”
But before we move to the next subject, Richardis makes a point of paying tribute to two people who inspired him to join Los Leones.
“Joel Merkler [the Toulouse tightehead] is like my second brother. He actually played with my older brother, Juan Bautista, when they were U18s.
“Because of them, I wanted to become an international Spanish player, and I am very grateful to both of them. Joel is always looking after me, and I appreciate it.”
With the Men’s World Cup creeping up on the horizon, Richardis is hellbent on getting on the plane to Australia to help his country leave its mark, with Spain drawn against Argentina, Fiji and Canada in Pool C.
“I’m doing what I can to deserve my place in the team that is going to play in the World Cup. Our pool is tough, but I want to be there and help the team do well. We aren’t going to Australia to do tourism so that I can reassure our fans.
“Argentina is the team that I am looking forward to competing against. [Santiago] Chocobares and Mallía are my teammates in Toulouse, and I hope I can face them in that match. It is going to be a special match.”
As the fly half needs to get back to his kicking practice, he speaks about being proud of Spain’s growth, mainly due to how the local community and union have worked over the last 10 years.
They began this year’s Rugby Europe Championship with a 51-33 win over the Netherlands and face Switzerland and Georgia over the next two weeks.
“Spanish rugby is progressing, as we’ve seen by our win against Scotland in the U18s 6 Nations Festival and our qualification for the Men’s and Women’s World Cups,” Richardis adds.
“It is growing fast, and I do believe we are working well to deserve being under the spotlight.
“And you can believe in me, and we will show it when the World Cup kicks off.”
