Austin Elite have formally confirmed the signing of Simon Bienvenu from French Top 14 club Racing 92. The 23-year-old had agreed to join the club several months ago but visa delays have prevented him from making his Major League Rugby debut.
An outside center or wing, Bienvenu is a product of two of the largest academy programs in France. As a teenager he joined the Toulouse age grade system and captained the Espoirs in the 2016-17 season. He then moved to Racing 92 and made his Top 14 debut as a replacement against Agen in May 2018.
Bienvenu has also represented the France Sevens development side at the Moscow leg of the Rugby Europe circuit. He could make his first appearance for Austin in Saturday’s match against the Utah Warriors at Zions Bank Stadium.