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Teddy Thomas the latest La Rochelle player to join Toulouse – report
By Liam Heagney
Out-of-favour France back Teddy Thomas is poised to join Toulouse next season. The 31-year-old, who last featured at Test level in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup, is currently bang in form for La Rochelle, the club he joined in the summer of 2022 from Racing 92.
Having switched position from wing to outside centre, Thomas has scored five tries in his six Top 14 appearances this season to help La Rochelle into third place ahead of this Saturday’s game at home to bottom club Vannes.
It has been reported, though, that this will be Thomas’ last season of three at the Ronan O’Gara-led club as a decision has been taken that will see him move to league leaders Toulouse in the summer of 2025.
He would be the second current La Rochelle player to agree to make the switch for the 2025/26 season as 26-year-old prop George-Henri Colombe last month decided to make the same end-of-season move.
A report in L’Equipe read: “Another Stade Rochelais player will join Toulouse at the end of the season. After international prop George-Henri Colombe, it is Teddy Thomas' turn to give his agreement to Toulouse who have wanted to recruit him for a long time.
“The winger with 28 caps made his decision in recent days and everything is now complete. Despite an extension offer from La Rochelle, the 31-year-old has decided to leave next summer.
“Repositioned at 13 since the start of the season, he has given convincing performances in his six matches, including five as a starter, and scored five tries.
"The former Biarritz Olympique and Racing 92 player, whom he left in 2022 to join La Rochelle, will be playing for the fourth club of his career.”
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Latest Comments
No, because New Zealand's tall poppy culture won't allow him to play for the All Blacks while he is making bank.
Go to commentsThe Lion's results will not matter that much regarding the likes of Topou.
The more significant issue is whether RA can afford to pay competitive salaries for Oz-based players.
RA doesn't even know its income stream after 2025, when I think the current TV rights contract expires. Given that it has lost the Rebels, I think it will struggle to retain its current income.
If RA's income does drop due to reduced income from the rights, I think many players will find that they will be forced overseas as RA can not offer globally competitive salaries.
Go to comments