Clermont Auvergne are expected to keep former Wallabies back-rower Caleb Timu in a ‘joker’ role until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, despite the return of Peceli Yato from the Fiji squad.
Timu arrived as back-row cover for Clermont, whilst a selection of their top stars are away on international duty with the Rugby World Cup. The 2023/24 French Top 14 season commences Friday 18th of August, meaning that some squads will be weakened for the first few rounds of action.
Due to this, the Top 14 implements a ‘joker’ rule, allowing the short-term signings of players to cover until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Internationally retired Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones became the latest high-profile joker, as he signed up with Toulon, putting an end to his career-long stint with the Ospreys.
A report from Midi Olympique presented how there was speculation surrounding whether Timu would remain with Clermont, following the recent return of Fijian back-rower Peceli Yato to the French side. Yato personally withdrew himself from the Flying Fijians Rugby World Cup squad, with undisclosed reasons presented so far.
A former Bordeaux-Begles player, Timu is now allowed to stay with Clermont, because Yato was initially selected for the pre-Rugby World Cup training camps. The French side were authorised to select a joker untill the end of the Rugby World Cup, even in the event that Yato did not participate.
This means that Yato and Timu will both be available for selection, when Clermont Auvergne take on Oyonnax in the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Top 14.