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Career lifeline in France for George Tilsley after his Agen sacking
Former New Zealand sevens international George Tilsley has been handed a career lifeline in France, making Soyaux-Angouleme his third club in the 2023/24 season after fallings-out with Toulouse and Agen.
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Following four seasons at Perpignan, the 32-year-old versatile back was signed by Toulouse last summer, but he never got to play for them as he was taken into custody for domestic violence in August and then given a six-month suspended prison sentence.
Pro D2 club Agen picked him up but his six-game stint with them ended in a serious misconduct sacking in early March following an incident with club manager Thomas Leger on February 8 following their victory over Provence.
His season hasn’t ended with that second setback, though, as he has now signed for Soyaux-Angouleme, another Pro D2 club, as a medical joker through to the summer. A club website statement read: “George Tilsley has signed with the SA XV.
“After the injury of our fly-half Corentin Glenat, the club’s management and staff started looking for a medical joker capable of helping the team at the end of the season.
?? ?? ?/? ?????????? ?????? ??????? rejoint le SA XV en qualité de joker médical ! ?
« Je suis très heureux de rejoindre le SA XV et porter ce maillot. Je suis pressé de relever le challenge du maintien avec mes coéquipiers. »https://t.co/FNflPZQD8J pic.twitter.com/VNAGMhe8FV— SA XV Charente Rugby (@SAXV_Charente) March 26, 2024
“A versatile three-quarter capable of playing in the centre as well as on the wing, the New Zealander, who has played 70 games in Pro D2 and 96 in the Top 14, will be able to bring all his experience to this final sprint.
“Arriving in Agen in 2015, George played for them for three seasons before joining Bordeaux for one season, and joining USAP where he played four seasons for 20 tries scored. This season, George has made six appearances for Agen, scoring one try.”
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Soyaux-Angouleme president Didier Pitcho said: “We reached out to George after talking to him and feeling he was a sincere player, determined to have a good end to the season with the club. We rely on his professionalism on and off the pitch. We are very happy to welcome him and to offer him this opportunity.”
Tilsley added: “I’m very happy to join the SA XV and wear this jersey. I’m looking forward to the challenge of staying in the league with my teammates.”
Soyaux-Angouleme are currently 14th in the 16-team French second-tier league with seven rounds of matches left.
Comments on RugbyPass
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2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
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5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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