Wallabies abroad: Stade strike and Aussies moving clubs

Sat, Mar 18, 2017, 12:14 AM
AFP & Beth Newman
by AFP & Beth Newman
Will Genia's Stade Francais will not play this weekend. Photo: AFP
Will Genia's Stade Francais will not play this weekend. Photo: AFP

Will Genia’s Stade Francais will not play this weekend, with the players on strike over a controversial merger with cross-town rivals Racing 92.

Stade’s clash with Castres has been postponed over the strike and while Racing 92’s players were not as united in their opposition to the move but their match with Montpellier has also been postponed.

Montpellier, where Nic White, Jesse Mogg and Joe Tomane play, lodged a protest to the schedule change but were ultimately denied.

It would be one of White’s last matches for Montpellier, with the scrumhalf announcing a move to UK club Exeter this week.

“It's a really exciting move for me and something we've been working on for a little while," White told the club website.

Nic White featured for Montpellier. Photo: AFP"Obviously, I've seen Exeter on TV and I really like their style of play, the way they attack games and the brand of rugby they are producing right now."

White, who said he had spoken to fellow Aussie Dean Mumm, who had a  successful spell with the Chiefs, said he loved the style of rugby Exeter played under Rob Baxter.

"As I said, it's a great move for me and I'm looking forward to trying something new," said White.

"Just looking at the games involving Exeter, you can see they are an incredibly fit side because their ball in play time is probably the highest in Europe right now."

White says his move to Exeter will also help in him developing further as a player.

"I'm only 26, so I'm nowhere near the finished article," he said.

"I know I still have lots to learn -- in all areas of my game -- and from speaking to Rob (Baxter) he believes he and the other coaches at the club can help bring even more out in me, which is great news."

Adam Ashley-Cooper will take his place in Bordeaux’s starting side to face Bayonne, after fooling plenty in an online prank this week.

 

Well that went well...... 😳 #GetOutChallenge

A post shared by Adam Ashley-Cooper (@adamcoopy) on


Ashley-Cooper posted a #getoutChallenge clip to his Instagram, where he appeared to pull his hamstring, but just two days later, the winger was sprinting on a treadmill, captioning that post: Quickest recovery ever. #getbackchallenge.

 

One of the quicker recoveries... #getbackchallenge

A post shared by Adam Ashley-Cooper (@adamcoopy) on

Luke Jones will come off the bench for the clash.

Ben Mowen and Sitaleki Timani will come off the bench for Pau and Clermont, respectively.

Timani's former Clermont teammate Nathan Charles has signed with Bath for the rest of the season, as injury cover.

ANGLO-WELSH CUP

While the Premiership continues its Six Nations break, three Aussies will line up in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final between Exeter and Leicester.

Greg Holmes will start at tighthead for Exeter, with Lachie Turner at fullback.

Lochie McCaffrey will line up at number eight for the Tigers at the Stoop.

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