Remy Grosso has returned to where it all started for him in France
Out-of-favour France winger Remy Grosso is returning to where it all started for him, the 31-year-old confirming on Tuesday that a deal has been struck to move back to Lyon following a three-and-a-half-year stint at Clermont.
Last capped in June 2018 versus New Zealand, Grosso earned his stripes in the professional ranks at Lyon, spending five seasons with them from 2008 to 2013.
Four of those campaigns came in Pro D2 before he moved on to Castres for more regular rugby in the Top 14. He then switched to Clermont, making a top-flight debut for them in February 2017.
The fortunes of Lyon are now very much changed in recent years, the club becoming a Top 14 powerhouse who are challenging for titles and qualifying for the Heineken Champions Cup under Pierre Mignoni.
With rugby in France beginning to pick up the pace again following the coronavirus cancellation of the 2019/20 season, Lyon last month confirmed six new signings – including Reds contract rebel Izack Rodda – for the 2020/21 campaign which is due to start in September.
The 23-year-old Australian second row (25 caps) signed a one-year deal, joining Gillian Galan of Toulouse, Mathieu Bastareaud (Rugby United New York), Leo Berdeu (Agen), Colby Fainga’a (Connacht) and Joe Taufete’e (Worcester Warriors) at the club ahead of the new season start.
Speaking in Le Progres about his decision to take up Lyon's offer, Grosso said: "I feel like I'm going home." It was late March, shortly after the 2019/20 season had been suspended due to the outbreak of the pandemic, that Grosso was first linked with a return to his first professional club.
At the time, Mignoni commented: "We made a proposal to Remy but nothing has been done because of the crisis we are going through and of which we do not yet know, nor neither the end nor the economic impact on our club."
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It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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