Rugby Update: Pierre Mignoni- Another Rugby Giant to resign in 2011
In 2010 many rugby giants like David Pocock, Brian McClennan and Jock Hobbs resigned, and many more are expected in 2011, leaving room for new names to appear in Rugby. Pierre Mignoni a 33-year old French Rugby Union player will call off his illustrious
journey by the end of this season. He currently was playing with his hometown team Toulon.
The Rugby star believes it’s the right time to resign and is confident about his decision.
"I'm going to hear that I can still continue, but this is my gut instinct,"
said the scrum-half. He further added, "I think it's the right time so as to avoid doing that season too far. It's not a question of form, physically it's okay.” Mignoni will be retiring at the end of June and is rumoured to be continuing as a trainer.
“But I don't want to know the feeling of not wanting to train, to give it my maximum." said Mignoni.
Pierre Mignoni started off in 1996 with Toulon for a year. He then joined Beziers, where he played till 1998. Mignoni appeared in his first international match for France in October 1997 against Romani. Mignoni had a very unstable start to his career as
far his signings were concerned. He then came back to Toulon for 1999-00 season, but he kept on laying for France during the Rugby World Cup. His major tests include matches against Samoa, Wales and All Blacks. He played as a vital member of the national team
in the starting matches of World Cup. He later was signed by Dax, where played till 2001. In the year 2002, Mignoni was part of the team that won the 2002 Six Nations Championship. France won the grand slam by winning all the matches.
The only consistent time for his career was when he signed by ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2003. He played six seasons for the club and was very much focused with his game. Pierre Mignoni throughout his career got picked for every world cup. He also played in
2007 Rugby World Cup and was a consistent member off and on-field squad. Mignoni resigned from ASM Clermont in 2009 after his sixth season and returned to his hometown Toulon where he is servicing the club up till now.
Scrum-Half played three Heineken Cup matches for Toulon this season, and coaching the new players. His efforts resulted on a positive note and brought Toulon to top the Pool 3. Toulon with 13 points have just lost one match this season. Under his supervision,
the team will be a major challenge in round 5 for all the top teams.
Mignoni has appeared in a total of 23 Heineken Matches. He was a proud member of Challenge Cup winner team Clermont and have been featured in the continent’s second-tier tournament, in a total of 45 matches. Mignoni is also a winner of twenty eight international
caps for France. He has also been a part of coaching staff for his hometown team Toulon. It’s still not confirmed that he will continue in the coaching staff on full-time basis after his retirement.
"Pierre Mignoni has not commented on the possibility of coaching next season. However, he has not ruled out this possibility," a statement that was given from preceding season's Amlin Challenge Cup Finalists.
Majority of the fans don’t know but Pierre Mignoni is a qualified fire fighter. He desires to discover this part of him and be a helping hand in society. He believes he has a career in this righteous profession, where he would be applying his might and swiftness
to overcome the fire in the hometown. Mingoni stated on Tuesday, "I've a career awaiting me as a fireman, but we will see. I haven't stopped yet.”
He further said, "Coaching isn't really by calling even if Clermont already offered me that last year for the three-quarters.” Pierre Mignoni another Rugby star to leave the field and hang up his boots in 2011 had a lifetime experience in the past
fourteen years. From a hometown player to a national sensation, Mignoni has been humble through opportunities and just focused on his game.
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