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Ex-England full-back Nick Abendanon earns new deal

Published: 27 February 2026 07:28 PST
Updated: 27 February 2026 08:05 PST

Skills and defence coach Nick Abendanon has signed a new two-year deal with Bayonne. Photo: Getty Images

Former England international Nick Abendanon has been handed a new two-deal by Bayonne to continue working as the club’s defence and skills coach.

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The 39-year-old, South African, who won two caps for England on the eve of Rugby World Cup 2007, is now contracted to the club until the end of the 2027/28 season.

Abendanon moved into coaching in 2021 after his playing days ended, having served Bath, Clermont and Vannes as a brilliant counter-attacking full-back. In 2015, he was named European Player of the Year.

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After two seasons coaching Vannes, Abendanon joined Bayonne ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Abendanon had been linked with a move to Brive but he has now committed himself to the Basque outfit, who are struggling near the foot of the Top 14 table.

Despite winning nearly half of their 17 games (eight), Bayonne are languishing in 12th position, with a points difference in mnus three figures (-105).

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Comments on RugbyPass

A

AM 53 minutes ago

The All Blacks captain shouldn't need a rest after a sabbatical

What a clown the author is. The players play way too many games and relative to other sports get paid very little. College football players in the US now make more than Ardie after they allowed them to monetise the social media etc. rest up Ardie.

114 Go to comments

S

SC 1 hour ago

Dave Rennie explains Noah Hotham omission and possible Carter switch

You seriously think a player who has never played halfback at SRP is going to win you a big test match if he has to go in at the 20 minute mark?

There is a reason that Carter was moved from halfback to wing. He was an average NPC halfback with no potential of advancing his career without making a positional switch to wing.

...

9 Go to comments

S

SC 1 hour ago

Dave Rennie explains Noah Hotham omission and possible Carter switch

There are many 50/50 calls that went in favour of the Chiefs over other franchises.

Norris over Tu’ungafasi, Mafileo

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9 Go to comments

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johnz 1 hour ago

Steve Hansen: All Blacks have found 'something that's been missing the last couple years'

I just understand how things work.

That’s your best line yet JW.

...

91 Go to comments

H

Hammer Head 1 hour ago

The All Blacks captain shouldn't need a rest after a sabbatical

Rennie knows what he’s doing!

114 Go to comments

L

Lou Cifer 1 hour ago

Ex-All Black: Don't mistake Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa for a one-trick pony

Excited to see this kiddo on the park…seems like an absolute unit!

4 Go to comments

N

NK 1 hour ago

All Black great Ma'a Nonu leaves Toulon for new role at South African club

Looks like an opportunity missed by the NZ SRP teams. Especially with the number of players leaving every year, the youngsters could have done with mentoring by such a great of the game.

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C

Chris929 2 hours ago

2026 WXV Global Series: Every single fixture and kick-off time

I dont think there is a table or placings-its not the same as the previous WXV tournament. These are essentially just fixtures-a lot really- 6 games almost seems too many-how many players will be injured before PWR even kicks off? 3 or 4 surely fine. 6 seems too many. France play NZ 4 times which seems overkill especially when say ireland dont have even 1 game against a team above them in the rankings.

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S

SB 2 hours ago

Nine players whose stock rose massively this July in Nations Championship

Marko Gazzotti too.

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SB 2 hours ago

Dave Rennie adds three possible debutants to 44-man squad for South Africa

Not often I agree with you but you are correct on this one.

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SB 2 hours ago

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Jacobson is far more suited to the role that Rennie wants from his 7 than Kirifi, it’s pretty simple.

9 Go to comments

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SB 2 hours ago

Why Rieko Ioane needed Leinster stint after finding himself in a 'rut'

BB 10 FF 11 and Love 15 with the rest of that backline would be cool to see.

Excited to see how these Kiwi players do, not often we get to see guys a bit down the pecking order play together against anyone. Obviously as you know we got to see this with the French over the past couple of Julys so I’m intrigued to see how they’ll perform against these URC sides in their pre season.

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J

John Riley 2 hours ago

The All Blacks captain shouldn't need a rest after a sabbatical

Are you from South Africa? We need our Captain to lead us to victory v the ‘Boks, I guess you want him playing without enough down-time!

114 Go to comments

S

SB 2 hours ago

Ex-All Black: Don't mistake Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa for a one-trick pony

What he has been doing since the end of SRP will be on show in these upcoming URC matches.

4 Go to comments

S

SB 2 hours ago

The All Blacks captain shouldn't need a rest after a sabbatical

Typical Kiwi rugby journalism. It’s almost like Damian McKenzie coming on to save the day at the end of last year at Murrayfield didn’t exist.

114 Go to comments

S

SB 2 hours ago

The area of Tupou’s game that has ‘definitely added value’ to Wallabies

Playing in the Top 14 improves players a lot.

2 Go to comments

S

SB 2 hours ago

'The English are methodical': Stade Francais and Paul Gustard in fresh talks

Well deserved, he’s changed the club around.

1 Go to comments

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SB 2 hours ago

Report: Joe Schmidt set for temporary return to Irish rugby

1 Go to comments

I

Itsallacademic 3 hours ago

The All Blacks captain shouldn't need a rest after a sabbatical

I might be wrong, but Rennie seems like the type that demands players go above and beyond.

It may be optional in theory, but missing it would be sending the coach a strong signal that I don't want to be selected next week.

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114 Go to comments

B

By George! 3 hours ago

The All Blacks captain shouldn't need a rest after a sabbatical

I emphasise with him, being the child of Samoan immigrants myself, nonetheless we all start somewhere and in our similar cases, with some initial and temporary adversity, by the way it builds character. He is the prodigy of hard working parents I'm sure, just as would be Scooter’s parents. I'm not a farmer but I doubt it would be a holiday owning a farm or even running one. You borrow off the bank for plant and machinery or use land as collateral driving around in a vehicle you don't own, you own nothing the bank does until you finally pay your loans. In a nutshell that is how it works, basically big risk and reward, but I digress. I would suggest that after 16 years as a professional rugby player Ardie has done damn well for himself, it doesn't take much digging to get an estimate of his potential earnings, I can tell you he's far removed from those carless days of his youth that you point out. But I don't begrudge Ardie “making hay while the sun shines” because one's appetite grows in relation to their means and ofcourse he has a wife and family and business ventures to attend to. If I can use this analogy; There is a monumental task before them they are going to war and we need our leadership to set the tone and build the unity. The coach is the Admiral and he will be in the vanguard but the ship will put to sea without it's Captain who will be having a break after coming back from a Sabbatical; “a planned break from work or study, usually for rest with the expectation you'll return afterwards and resume where you left off.” Yeah? Nah!

114 Go to comments

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