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Report: Bordeaux go cold on CJ Stander, have eyes on legendary French No.8
By Ian Cameron
Bordeaux Begles are no longer interested in Ireland and Munster No.8, CJ Stander, at least not according to reports from France.
This week former Dragons and Grenoble head coach Bernard Jackman revealed that the French club were talking with the Munsterman on the The42.ie. “I spoke to a French agent last week and he was of the opinion that CJ was going to Bordeaux — or that Bordeaux were making a serious play for him.”
“I don’t know any more than that but he’s a top player and Bordeaux are a great club. They’re very ambitious and I think they’re about to lose two eights from their current roster. I don’t know if he’s been talking to them or anything like that but, certainly, Bordeaux have a huge interest in CJ.”
It seems Bordeaux have now gone cold on the former Lions forward, with Yoan Leshauriès of Sud Ouest reporting that Stander's wage expectations were too high for the club. Bordeaux are looking to replace Marco Tauleigne, who is switching to Montpellier.
It seems the high-flying Bordeaux are closing in on signing French legend Louis Picamoles, who French media have linked with the two parties in recent weeks.
The 34-year-old currently plays for struggling Montpellier. He made 82 Test appearances in an on-off relationship with various French head coaches over the span of 11 years between 2008 and 2019. At the tail end of his career, Picamoles would likely come at a significantly lower cost than the Irishman, who is four years his junior.
Les Damiers also interested in Racing 92 stand-off François Trinh-Duc. Also 34, he has 66 caps for France but hasn't played for the national team since 2018. He's been eyed as a back-up to current French star Mathieu Jailbert.
"Nothing has been signed, but these are two serious tracks [Picamoles and Trinh-Duc], " President of Union Bordeaux Bègles, Laurent Marti told Sud Ouest.
Rumours of French clubs circling Stander were widespread in 2017, the last time Stander was at the negotiating table with David Nucifora, the IRFU's notorious tough High Performance Director. Stander is facing strong competition for the Irish No.8 jersey, with Leinster's Caelen Doris and Jack Conan snapping at his heels and the emergence of Gavin Coombes at Munster suggesting his negotiating position might not be as strong as in 2017.
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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