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NOLA Gold have signed former France international Kélian Galletier on a two-year deal through the 2026 Major League Rugby season. The 32-year-old has played his entire to date in the Top 14, ending a two-year stint with Perpignan after more than a decade with Montpellier.
Galletier advanced through France’s age-grade program, playing in two Junior World Championships. A test debut arrived in June of 2016 against Argentina, with the last of his 6 caps opposite Fiji in November 2018. During June of 2018 Galletier started twice against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
A rangy ball carrier, Galletier can play across the back row. His resume includes over 200 first class games and many selections as captain of Montpellier. In New Orleans, Galletier could form a loose forward trio with 2024 standout Jonah Mau’u and incumbent skipper Moni Tonga’uiha. Heavy-hitting No8 OJ Noa will not be returning for a second season in Gold.
Also departing is fellow Manu Samoa international Rodney Iona, who exits after two seasons as a starting flyhalf or center for the club. Ball-carrying loose forward Maciu Koroi is moving on, along with Chilean hooker Augusto Böhme and versatile prop Sam Klimkowski.
