French International hooker Benjamin Kayser signs with Clermont Auvergne – Rugby news
French Top 14 side, Clermont Auvergne, on Thursday May 26, has confirmed the signing of the French international hooker Benjamin Kayser from their sporting rivals Castres. Kayser has signed a three-year deal with the Clermont.
Clermont Auvergne are the defending champions of the Top 14. They will take on Toulouse in the first semifinal of the 2010/11 Top 14 at Stade Velodrome, at Marseille on Friday, May 27.
Paris born Kayser made his professional senior rugby club debut for Stade Francais in 2007. At the end of the 2006/07 season he moved to Welford Road based Leicester Tigers. The 26-year-old Kayser represented Tigers until the end of the 2008/09 season. He made 17 appearances including 17 starts and had showing for Tigers in both domestic and European level matches.
In 2009, he moved back to France after he signed a two-year contract with the French Top 14 side Castres. Castres finished third in the 2010/11 Top 14 as Montpellier thrashed their finals hopes at Stade Pierre-Antoine by defeating them 18 – 17 on May 14. Kayser played only 11 games for the Castres as hooker in the 2010/11 season.
Kayser made his French international rugby union team debut against Australia in June 2008. He has played nine international matches for the French national team. His last international appearance came against England in March 2009 during the 2009 Six Nations Tournament. Kayser also had the honours of playing for the Barbarians in 2010. His only game for Barbarians came against the Tonga national rugby union team.
Prior to his senior team debut, Kayser has represented the Under-19 and Under-21 French national Rugby union teams.
Kayser will be replacing the Clermont’s retiring former Pumas international, Mario Ledesma. Kayser has expressed his optimizing on signing the new deal. He said, “I'm very optimistic about the future. I'm very excited about the idea of a new adventure with my new club.” He further added that although he is taking on the shirt of Ledesma, it will be impossible for him to fill the leadership void created in Ledesma’s absence.
Kayser also hinted that he could prolong his stay at the Clermont if needed.
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