Fijian Drua player Iosefo Masi is rumored to be moving to Lyon, the Top 14 club that sees him as a potential replacement for Semi Radradra. The 26-year-old made a name for himself with the Fiji sevens team, contributing to their victory at the Rugby World Cup and earning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, before transitioning to XVs rugby.
During his two seasons with the Drua, Masi scored 16 tries and started 29 matches. His impressive performances led to a call-up to the Fijian national team in June 2023, where he secured a spot on the Rugby World Cup squad and played as a substitute against Portugal and England.
Lyon’s management views Masi as an ideal candidate to strengthen the center pairing, hoping his strong handling skills and physical presence can bolster a team that faced relegation fears in the 2023/2024 season.
It is still uncertain whether Masi’s potential move to Lyon is contingent on Radradra’s status with the club. Radradra, who joined Lyon in the summer of 2023 and made 10 appearances in his first season after the World Cup, will become a free agent in July 2025 if he does not renew his contract.
Lyon has had a solid start to the 2024/25 season, currently sitting in seventh place with three wins from five matches. Following Davit Niniashvili’s confirmation of his departure, Lyon is expected to announce several significant signings in the upcoming months.