Agen confirm signing of international players to strengthen their squad – Rugby news
French Top 14 re-entrant Sporting Union Agen Lot-et-Garonne has survived the relegation from the 2012 French League after finishing 10th at the end of the French Rugby League.
Agen have strengthened their squad for the next year’s French League as they have announced the signing of several international players.
Agen participated in this season of the French Professional Rugby clubs after playing three seasons at playing second level rugby “Pro D2”. Agen won the 2010 Pro D2 that enabled them to book a place in this year’s Top 14.
Agen during French Top 14 2010/11 played 25 games and secured 46 points as they lost 14 games, won 10 and draw a single game. It is one of the oldest French rugby league clubs. They so far have won eight national championship titles. However, they lost won
a title in 1988, approximately 21 years ago.
The signing of the international players is the part of the Agen’s plan to recover their pride in the national championships. Earlier today, they have confirmed the signing of New Zealand prop John Schwalger, Australian lock Pat O'Connor and Montpellier’s
back-row forward Marc Giraud.
Former Western Force star Pat O’Connor will join the club at the end of the super rugby championships 2011. 26-year-old Pat O’Connor is currently playing for Waratahs.
All Blacks and Hurricanes prop John Schwalger will also join the Agen at the end of the Super XV. The 27-year-old has made a single appearance for the All Blacks however, he has delivered some promising performances in the league championship games.
Reports are that Stade Armandie based Agen will announce the signing of the four more players in coming days. This includes two current internationals, which will become part of their squad at the end of the Rugby World Cup 2011.
Furthermore, Agen have extended the contracts of the Ivory Coast fullback Silvere Tian and South African lock Dewald Senekal. Both Silvere Tian and Dewald Senekal joined the Agen halfway in the season after leaving Bourgoin and Toulon. Silvere Tian signed
a two-year contract while Dewald Senekal signed a one-year contract.
Agen, with diversity in their team will be looking forward to improve their on-field performance during the next French Professional Rugby League Season.
Their efforts over the year to get back into the Top 14 teams and then their fight to retain the place are evidences of their willingness to re- establish them as a formidable unit in the national championships.
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