TRANSFER | Leicester Tigers target goes elsewhere

Saturday, 11 July 2020 at 22:10

bySteven Smith

Despite reported interest from Leicester Tigers, Nick Abendanon has signed a two year deal with French ProD2 club Vannes

The 33-year-old former Bath favourite, who won two England caps in 2007, had said his intentions were to head back to England after being released by Clermont last month.

That prompted reported interest from the likes of Bath and London Irish pre-lockdown before Leicester emerged as the favourites to sign the fullback in the last week, according to The Rugby Paper.

However, it was confirmed tonight that he'd be staying in France after he was offered a generous two year deal.

Following years of being ignored by International selectors, he made the move to France in 2014 after a highly successful career at the black, blue and whites which saw him earn 207 caps for the English side, during an eight-year spell.

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And after a string of impressive performances for Clermont in the 2014/2015 Champions Cup, Abendanon was awarded 2015 European player of the year.

Abendanon had been in talks with a number of clubs, namely London Irish, before the global health crisis brought everything to a halt a couple of months ago.

Did you know? Born in South Africa, he has the Dutch nationality, through his parents

12 players who won fewer England caps than you think

Representing your country is considered the pinnacle for many rugby players, but this lot weren't able to do it as often as they would have liked...

1. Nick Abendanon (Two caps)

Abendanon had a brief run out for England in 2012, but that was a mere sniff of a chance in a non-capped match on South African soil where he scored a hat-trick, but that still wasn't enough, leaving him with just a pair of caps. Despite excelling at Bath, there was to be no further England recognition and in 2014 he took up a contract with Clermont Auvergne, forgoing any international aspirations in the process.

2. Dave Walder (Four caps)

The Geordie magician steered the Falcons to cup final glory in 2001 and 2004, the Durham University graduate playing four tests for England between 2001 and 2003. The fly-half made 87 Premiership appearances during his seven seasons at Kingston Park before going on to domestic and European glory with London Wasps. A great player.

3. Tom Varndell (Four caps)

An England international with four caps to his name, the wing became the Aviva Premiership's all-time leading try scorer during the 2016/17 campaign when he scored against Harlequins at Ashton Gate. It's hard to believe he didn't get more of a chance, scoring three tries in his four test caps

4. Andy Goode (17 caps)

Andy Goode was for many years the metronomic core of Leicester Tigers' backline, a reliable goal-kicker and an excellent tactician. However, his international career did not take off as he would have wanted with the fly-half coming in and out of the squad on a regular basis.

5. Jason Robinson (51 caps)

When you consider that Mike Tindall and Jonny Wilkinson, who both suffered significant injury lay-offs, won a hefty more amount of caps it's somewhat surprising to see the speedster only got half a century of caps. To put in perspective, Owen Farrell is only 27, yet has already accumulated 66 caps. Robinson is still an absolute legend nevertheless!

6. David Flatman (Eight caps)

The now pundit for ITV, BT Sport and Channel 5 speaks a very good game but his opportunities at international level were not forthcoming. He won his first full caps as a replacement in the Tests against South Africa on the summer tour in 2000 but never really established himself as the first choice, finding himself behind Graham Rowntree in the pecking order.

7. Hugh Vyvyan (One cap)

The Newcastle and Saracens legend, who made 245 Premiership appearances, won a deserved first England cap against Canada in the Investec Challenge match in 2004 and scored a try as captain. However, shockingly, this would be the only full test cap he'd ever win.

8. Olly Barkley (21 caps)

The prolific Barkley became a firm favourite during his initial eight-year spell at Bath, scoring 1,697 points in 180 matches and earning a reputation as one of the finest playmakers in the Guinness Premiership. Capped by England before he had made his senior debut for Bath, it's mad that he only won 23 caps for his country, playing at both Fly-half and Inside Centre.

9. Stuart Barnes (10 caps)

The diminutive fly-half only made ten appearances for England over nine years, which was more due to the selectors' preference for Rob Andrew. He retired after touring South Africa in 1994, partially because of a groin injury, although frustration probably played a part in his decision.

10. Stephen Myler (One cap)

Myler switched codes in September 2006 after his rugby league career took in St Helens, Widnes and Salford. However, despite his consistency for Northampton Saints and the Saxons, the fly-half has only won one full Test cap.

11. Ollie Smith (Five caps)

He made his debut as a replacement against Italy in 2003 in a 40-5 victory but although he featured in World Cup warm-up matches against Wales and France in August of that year, he failed to make the final cut for the World Cup. Smith made it back into the international set up for the 2005 6 Nations. Smith's form saw him selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and was capped in the Lions' build-up game against Argentina in the Millenium Stadium, scoring a try. Surprising he won so few caps.

12. Steve Hanley (One cap)

Hanley was one of two Sale players to make their international debut in England’s final match of their 1999 Five Nations campaign along with Barrie-Jon Mather. Although Hanley scored a try, he also was handed-off by Craig Quinnell and suffered a broken arm as Wales won 32–31. Reflecting in 2005 on why he was unable to break into the England team after 1999, Hanley said “They had a settled side under Clive [Woodward] and once you were in, it was hard to get out as the team was winning all the time”.

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