Provence Rugby, a team competing in the French ProD2 league, is poised to secure the services of two renowned players to strengthen their squad for the upcoming 2023/24 season.
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According to reports from French newspaper L’Equipe, Jimmy Gopperth, the fly-half/centre currently representing Leicester Tigers, has committed to a one-season deal with the club.
The 39-year-old New Zealander is the oldest player in the Premiership and would have been only the second to play beyond his 40th birthday if he had stayed.
Gopperth, the fourth highest scorer in the competition’s history, made 13 league appearances after joining from Wasps last summer.
Joining him will be Tomas Francis, the talented Welsh international tighthead prop.
The 31-year-old, who previously showcased his skills at Exeter Chiefs, is said to have inked a lucrative three-season agreement with Provence Rugby.
“Got lucky” – Correct England Rugby World Cup 2023 group would be a nightmare
England were handed a favourable group in the draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup – but could meet either Australia and Wales in quarter-finals.
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Steve Borthwick will ultimately be pleased with the outcome of the draw, which saw his side also pitted against Argentina and Japan. England will kick-off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament on November 21.
The recently released World Rugby Rankings highlight the absurdity of the Pool Draw for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023, which was determined three years in advance and appears to be heavily skewed.
In response to criticism, World Rugby has announced that future pool draws for the Rugby World Cup will be conducted closer to the start of the tournament, as the current practice of relying on team rankings at the time of the draw is deemed unfair.
As a result, the guys over at Eggchasers Rugby put together their own drawer the 2023 tournament based on the current World Rugby rankings.
Concentrating on only the top 10 countries in the world, it looks significant.
It was very different with England handed a much sterner test in their pool. Watch the full video here.
POOL A actual draw:
- France
- New Zealand
POOL A up to date draw
- France
- Australia