Cyril Baille agrees to multi-year contract with Aviron Bayonnais through 2029

Stade Toulousain prop Cyril Baille has agreed to a multi-year contract with Aviron Bayonnais through 2029, departing the club in a high-profile roster shift. The 33-year-old loosehead prop brings a decorated resume to the Basque club, having secured six French championships and two European Champions Cup crowns during his tenure in Toulouse.

Departure From Stade Toulousain

Baille’s impending exit marks another significant departure for Stade Toulousain following the confirmed transfers of Thomas Ramos to Racing 92 and François Cros to Lyon. The international front-rower, who has earned 56 caps for France, acknowledged the difficulty of leaving his longtime club. Speaking on the official Stade Toulousain website, Baille described the club as his home and where he built his family, while emphasizing his commitment to finishing the upcoming season strong.

The Stade Toulousain is my club, my home. I grew up there, I lived incredible moments there and I had the chance to share this adventure with players and people who matter enormously to me, Baille stated via the club’s official site. He added, Taking this decision was not easy because Toulouse occupies a special place in my life, well beyond rugby, because it is here that I built my family.

Baille Returns to Form After Ankle Injury

The move follows a challenging 2024 campaign disrupted by an ankle injury that sidelined the seasoned prop for stretches of the season. Baille successfully worked his way back to peak physical condition, rediscovering his elite form at the start of the current domestic season.

Aviron Bayonnais welcomed the acquisition, highlighting the veteran’s vast experience in domestic and international competition. The Basque club noted in a statement that Baille arrives with more than 250 career appearances across all competitions and an immense track record in French rugby.

Baille Remains Focused on His Season with Toulouse

Despite securing his long-term future in the Basque Country through the end of the decade, Baille remains focused on his immediate responsibilities with his current employers. It still leaves me a season to live with this jersey (…), for now, all my head is here, in Toulouse, and I will give everything to the end for these colors, Baille said.