Oval15 recently caught up with Oskars Vitolins following his move to France, where the Irish prop joined RC Vannes ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Oskars’ journey to France
Oskars joined Oval15.com at the beginning of 2025 with the ambition of securing an opportunity within a French academy and continuing his development in a new rugby environment. Before making the move to France, Oskars was part of Munster’s U19 setup, while also featuring for the club’s U20 side.
Through Oval15, Oskars was connected with clubs from around the world, eventually securing a trial opportunity with RC Vannes.
Following a successful trial, Oskars signed with the French club and began a new chapter in his rugby career.
A successful first season
Oskars’ first season in France proved to be a memorable one.
Playing with RC Vannes’ Espoirs side, Oskars and his teammates won the French Espoirs Accession league and earned promotion to the Espoirs Elite, the top level of Espoirs Rugby.
The achievement was made even more special by the success of the first team, who won the French Pro D2, and were promoted to Top 14.
We caught up with Oskars to find out how he found his first season in France and how he’s settling into life at the club.
How was your first season in France?
“My first season in France was a really enjoyable experience. It was a long and challenging season, but ultimately a very successful one.
We won the league and earned promotion to the Espoirs Elite, which was a fantastic achievement for the team.
To celebrate that alongside the first team, who won the Pro D2, made it even more special.
It’s definitely a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
Learning to adapt
Moving to a new country meant Oskars had to adapt to a new language, a different playing model and new demands and expectations.
What were your biggest lessons from your first season?
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of being able to adapt.
Moving to a new country meant adapting to a new language, a different playing model, and different demands and expectations.
It pushed me outside my comfort zone, but it also helped me grow both as a player and as a person.”
Settling into France
Away from the pitch, Oskars has also been working hard to settle into life in France.
The club has provided significant support to its foreign players, including around nine hours of French lessons every week.
That support has helped Oskars develop his language skills while also making the transition to life in France easier.
How’s the French coming along?
“My French is coming along really well. The club has been a massive help with my progress, especially with the support they give to all the foreign players.
We have around nine hours of French lessons every week, which has helped us hugely with both the language and settling into life in France.
I’m really happy that I was able to pass my B1 test, and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve.”
Looking ahead
Following a successful first season, Oskars is now preparing for the challenge of competing in the Espoirs Elite.
What are your current goals for the season ahead?
“As a team, we want to establish ourselves in the Espoirs Elite division and show that we can compete amongst the best.
Personally, I want to challenge myself at this level and prove to myself that I can perform and hold my own against the best players.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how far we can go this season.”
Oval15’s role in the journey
For Oskars, his move to France started with creating a player profile on Oval15.com.
Within just a few weeks, he was connected with clubs from around the world, eventually leading to his trial opportunity with RC Vannes.
How has Oval15 assisted you with the opportunity in Vannes?
“Oval15 has been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the whole process.
Within just a few weeks of creating my profile, I was connected with clubs from all over the world, which eventually led to the trial opportunity in Vannes.
It was a huge opportunity for me, and I’m really grateful to Oval15 for helping make it happen.
After I signed my contract, I was connected with Hugo Martel, Oval15’s Partner Agent in France, who has been nothing short of supportive.
He’s been there throughout the whole journey, helping me navigate everything both on and off the pitch.”
Oskars’ journey is a great example of how creating the right connections can open the door to opportunities overseas.
From Munster’s youth setup to France, a successful first season and promotion to Espoirs Elite, his rugby journey continues to move forward.
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