Springbok Lionel Mapoe signs for ambitious Nationale side
Former Springbok Lionel Mapoe is the latest player to take up a contract for a Nationale team. Nice have the signed the former Lions utility back who can play across the backline from Parisian Top 14 side, Stade Francais.
Le Stade Niçois unveiled the signing on Twitter, posting: "Stade Niçois is pleased to announce the signing of the three-quarter international South African center Lionel Mapoe (31, 14 selections) from
Stade Francais. We welcome him to Nice!"
It is quite a drop for the former Springbok. The Nationale is a new competition, which will act as a third flight of rugby between the ProD2 and the Federale 1. Nice gained promotion to the Nationale having finished 4th in their Federale 1 pool.
The 31-year-old has made 14 appearances for the Springboks, his last coming just two years ago in 2018. He is one of 18 recruitments to the ambitious French side, who are looking for promotion from Nationale to the ProD2.
An experienced Test operator who can play centre, wing and fullback, Mapoe represents a major coup for soon to be Nationale club.
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Possibly. But this welsh team is no better than a good URC team at this point.
But a tough match is what is needed for the inexperienced in the group. Building depth etc.
Nobody learns anything pumping a team by 50.
Go to commentsJeepers. That’s a nuclear response given the context.
By all means back the man. But there’s no need to go overboard with calling him the world best coach.
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