England A's Jamie Shillcock agrees Pro D2 move with Premiership lock
Leicester Tigers utility back Jamie Shillcock is set to join the Pro D2’s Brive next season on a two-year deal, as reported by RugbyPass.
The French outfit, who sit in third place in their second tier, have launched a huge recruitment drive this week, which began with the signing of Ireland international John Cooney on Monday.
Brive followed that up a day later by announcing a host of further signings, including Shillcock, who represented England A from the bench a matter of weeks ago against Ireland A.
The 27-year-old is not the only acquisition from the Gallagher Premiership, with Harlequins’ Irne Herbst set to join him in France for the next two years, joining former England captain Courtney Lawes in the second-row.
Shillcock could form a half-back pairing with the son of France head coach Fabien Galthie, Mathis, who will join over the summer from Pro D2 rivals Colomiers.
Brive’s extensive list of signings also includes prop Hugo Reilhes, hooker Yanis Charcosset, locks Alexandre Ricard and Janse Roux, versatile flanker/ centre Henco Venter, flanker Yann Peysson, centre Anthony Coletta, Fijian Olympian Josaia Raisuqe, winger Geoffrey Cros and full-back Julien Tisseron.
Sitting in third place in the league, level on points with second-place with Provence, Brive are in a strong position to make the play-offs at the end of the campaign in a bid to play in the Top 14 next season. They have resourced their side with plenty of players with experience of playing in the top tier of European rugby should they earn promotion.
Manager of CA Brive Pierre-Henry Broncan said: “With this recruitment, the aim was to combine experience and youth, talent and high standards, to achieve balance in our squad. Several players are used to playing matches and long seasons. We are therefore considering sporting solutions throughout the year. We are eager to welcome them and start working together.”
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