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Drew Mitchell is coming out of retirement to play MLR, with Robshaw and Zebo also set for talks
By Liam Heagney
Drew Mitchell is coming out of retirement after agreeing on a deal to play with Rugby United New York in the new MLR season in America.
RUNY kick off their campaign on February 9 when they face the New England Free Jacks in Las Vegas. It was thought that Mathieu Bastareaud would be their prime drawcard, the former French international poised for his debut in Vegas after taking a sabbatical from the Top 14 and arriving in New York in December.
However, RugbyPass have learned that Bastareaud now won’t be the only former star international new to the New York roster in 2020 as the club have moved quickly to get Mitchell on board after a stint of TV punditry in Australia.
Mitchell called time on his playing career at the end of the 2016/17 season with Toulon, signing off at the age of 33 after a stellar stint where he scored 34 tries in 71 Test appearances for his country and appeared in the 2015 World Cup final.
He also played for three Australian Super Rugby franchises - the Force, the Waratahs and the Reds - before embarking on his wonderfully successful trophy-winning stint in France.
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The team captains were all in London for the recent media launch of the Guinness Six Nations
Thirty-six in March, Mitchell tweeted last week: “Anyone looking to hire?? My 2020 is off to a good start. #ServicesNotRequired.”
Those services have been snapped up by RUNY who are at the forefront of the growing buzz about the MLR and the attraction it has for people wanting to experience some time living in America.
While New York will unveil their Mitchell deal this week, RugbyPass has learned that they are also believed to be sounding out some other stellar names with a view to potentially signing in 2021 as former England skipper Chris Robshaw and former Ireland player Simon Zebo are due in the Big Apple next week.
Robshaw - who has been a one-club man throughout his entire professional career - signed a three-year deal with Harlequins in August 2017 that is soon to expire. He turns 34 next June and could be looking to experience something different in his career before hanging up the boots.
Zebo, who turns 30 in March, is also out of contract at the end of the current 2019/20 season in France where he has spent the last season and a half with Racing 92.
WATCH: What is life like in the MLR with Rugby United New York? RugbyPass found out when visiting former England full-back Ben Foden in Foden: Stateside
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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