Called up for the first time with the XV of France to prepare for the November tests, Joshua Brennan is a “club kid” at the Stade Toulouse, where his father Trevor, a former Irish international, wore the colors in the 2000s.
There is something disconcerting about hearing Joshua Brennan speak and not only because this big boy of 1.99 m and 118 kg does it with a certain shyness, at least in front of the media.
His discreet and calm voice is marked with the accent of Toulouse, a city that the native of Dublin joined even before his first birthday in the luggage of his father, Trevor Brennan, who had become a red and black figure.
The former rough third row, selected 13 times with the XV du Trèfle, remained in France at the end of his career. He opened several pubs in the Toulouse area, where his two sons, Daniel (26 years old) and Joshua (22 years old), grew up.
Their paths could cross on Sunday evening at the Stadium at the end of the 8th day of Top 14 since the eldest is playing as a pillar in Toulon after having passed through Montpellier and Brive.
« Josh » remained faithful to Stade Toulouse, with whom he gradually climbed the ranks until being invited to the Blues before the autumn tests against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.
“He’s a kid from the club”pointe son manager, Ugo Mola. “He is coming off a fairly remarkable season, particularly with impacts on matches that counted. We are in the logical continuation of its evolution. »
Having played through all the French youth teams, Joshua Brennan made his first appearances in the Top 14 during the 2020-21 season, at the age of 19, before experiencing a slight slump.
“Real dispositions”
Joshua Brennan during a Top 14 match in Lyon on June 8, 2024 / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP
“A playing career is not linear”recalls Toulouse forwards coach Jean Bouilhou. “It is often made up of stages, small moments when we realize that we can do much better. »
The “click” took place last winter for the Franco-Irish second line, when the Rouge et Noir staff decided to move him back, with some success, to the third wing position.
“He is a player who has power capabilities and who runs fast despite his size”explains Bouilhou, former teammate of Brennan Sr., with whom he sees some similarities. “These are people who like to share, who have a form of daily joie de vivre that is important in a workforce. »
With his new versatility, Brennan Junior consolidated his place last season in the Toulouse rotation, even participating from the bench in the victorious Champions Cup and Top 14 finals against Leinster and Bordeaux-Bègles.
He has continued his momentum since September despite strong competition at his favorite position, between Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, potential starters for the Blues, and Australian international Richie Arnold.
“Josh may have become aware of the demands of the very high level”dear Mola. “He put things in order (…) And he is an ambitious boy, who has real dispositions. »
“I understood a lot about the recovery phases, about the fact that the Top 14 seasons are very long. It is therefore important to be able to recover well in order to continue well”said the person concerned with this funny Toulouse accent that even his father, a proud Irishman, would not blame him for.
“He doesn’t necessarily recognize it”carries the son. “He’s happy as long as I have an Irish accent when I speak English. »
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