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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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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