Setareki Bituniyata × Provence Rugby

Provence Rugby was looking for an 'X-factor' player capable of making the difference on the wing while also being able to play at centre. The club's interest in Setareki Bituniyata was not new: Philippe Saint-André had followed his profile since his time at Montpellier, and Provence Rugby's recruitment team had already tried to sign him before his move to Stade Toulousain. On the player's side, the situation was evolving: after a convincing first season in Toulouse, Setareki found himself more of a rotation player during the 2024/25 season. At 29, the challenge was to join an environment where his profile could take on a bigger role.

Two ambitions had to be aligned: that of a player looking to regain an important role within a squad, and that of an ambitious club seeking a profile able to immediately strengthen its back line. An additional constraint arose several months before the planned arrival: Setareki suffered a torn ACL during the winter of 2024. The deal therefore had to continue despite significant sporting uncertainty around his recovery.

Activrep presented Setareki with Provence Rugby's project, its ambitions and the role envisaged for him. The work then consisted of aligning the player's sporting expectations with the need identified by the club: role, prospects and sporting environment. Despite the injury, the different parties kept their confidence in the project. Activrep supported the coordination needed to keep the process moving until the player's arrival in June 2025.

Setareki quickly established himself as an important player in the squad. Over the 2025/26 season, he played 27 matches for 2,019 minutes. Among the league's wingers and centres, he posted the best dominant-contact rate at 3.2 per 80 minutes, finished 4th top try-scorer with 14 tries, and 3rd for metres after contact. Initially signed for two seasons, his performances led Provence Rugby to extend his contract for three further seasons.