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ProD2 club set sights on British & Irish Lions duo
By Ian Cameron
Former England centre Jonathan Joseph and Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb are reportedly being linked with a move to the French ProD2.
Former British & Irish Lions centre Joseph still has another season left on his contract with Bath.
The 32-year-old has struggled to secure a regular starting position since Johann van Graan took over as coach, with the arrival of powerful midfielder Ollie Lawrence last year further limiting Joseph's opportunities.
Respected French outlet Midi Olympique has reported that Joseph could potentially join Agen as part of the club's ambitious plans under the leadership of former Biarritz Olympique president Jean-Baptiste Aldigé. Aldigé aims to bring in his own "Galacticos" to the club and is also reportedly interested in signing former Bath and Wales scrum-half Webb, as well as former Wales centre Tyler Morgan.
Joseph, who has been with Bath since 2013, played a significant role in the team's journey to the Premiership final in 2014/15. He was also selected as a British and Irish Lion for the 2017 tour of New Zealand.
Webb, meanwhile, was among a handful of Wales players to announce their retirement from Test rugby before the Rugby World Cup. Webb, who won 40 caps in a Test career that spanned a decade , followed Ospreys colleagues Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric in stepping down.
He turned down an extension at the Ospreys in favour of pursuing an "opportunity abroad".
Meanwhile, The Rugby Paper has mentioned that Agen is also monitoring Welsh fly-half Rhys Patchell, who recently became a free agent after leaving Scarlets. Patchell had previously turned down an offer from Bath to stay with Scarlets to pursue his international ambitions.
Agen finished sixth in the ProD2 last season.
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Latest Comments
Yep NZ national u85 team is touring there atm I think (or just has).
Go to commentsWhat are they gonna do with the 500k and what does that achieve? They could dump the whole side and pick amateurs and save 10million, but what is that going to achieve?
The problem it feels like to me is I didn't hear what Gatland is going to do in order to win the 6N next year. How is he helping the problem. It just sounds like they're expecting miracles and for Gatland to turn around the national teams results, but what good is that when you're not fixing any of the problems and you'll just be back where you were when Gatland and the old players leave?
I think you are totally wrong in your stance. Wales abosolutely need to spend that 500k by investing in their future, it just doesn't sound like theyre giving Gatland any more resources to do it with. They're not using that 500k very well.
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