Gaël Dréan targets 2026 rugby return after heart surgery

French rugby winger Gaël Dréan aims to return to professional play in 2026 following heart surgery. The 25-year-old RC Toulon player underwent an operation in mid-May to treat a malformation of a heart valve.

Dréan, who recently earned a selection for the XV de France and scored against Italy during the Six Nations, has been undergoing rehabilitation in Brittany. While he expressed a desire to return as quickly as possible, he emphasized the importance of being at 100% capacity before resuming competition.

During his recovery period, RC Toulon extended Dréan's contract until 2029. The player stated his goal is to help return Toulon to the top of the Top 14 standings after a season in which the club finished ninth.