Max Guazzini and Bernard Laporte confirm the departure and signing of several key players - Rugby
The Stade Francais president, Max Guazzini, and the newly appointed club administrator, Bernard Laporte, have confirmed the release of several of their squad’s key players. Both were speaking at a press conference on Tuesday June
7, at the club’s headquarter.
Speaking on the occasion, Laporte said, “We want players of character. We need to find the will to do things together. I got the feeling the players want to control things. I can assure you, that is finished.”
Laporte confirmed the release and departure of the former England Sevens international, Ollie Phillips, England flanker James Haskell, and Scottish fullback Hugo Southwell. The other players released by the club include Noel Oelschig,
Arnaud Marchois, Mauro Bergamasco and Juan Leguizamon.
The most notable among all the players is the release of the England international James Haskell. Haskell joined the French Top 14 outfit at the start of the 2009/10 season. Berkshire born Haskell, made his international debut
for the England’s national rugby union side against the Wales in 2007. He has so far played 34 international games and scored three tries. He was part of the English side during the 2011 RBS Six Nations Cup.
The 26-year-old Haskell started his professional seniors’ rugby career with the English Premiership side London Wasps during the 2002/03 season. He remained with the Wasps before joining Toulon in 2009.
It was at Wasps where Haskell developed his reputation as a quality flanker that later earned him a place in England’s national squad. He made 73 domestic and European appearances for Wasps and scored 70 points.
Reports are that the England’s international flanker Haskell will join the Australian Super Rugby franchise, New South Wales Waratahs, for the next season. However, the final announcement is yet to be made by both sides.
Laporte have also announced the new contracts club has made to strengthen their squad for the 2011/12 French Top 14 and European season. He added that the new squad will be a mixture of the youth and experience.
Laporte confirmed the signing of the contracts with former Wallaby international centre Morgan Turinui, Samoa full-back Paul Williams, Toulon winger Paul Sackey, Argentinean international fly-half Felipe Contepomi, Racing Metro’s scrum-half Jeacute rôme
Fillol, former French international Olivier Milloud, and Leinster’s prop Stan Wright.
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