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Ex-England lock David Ribbans named Toulon captain in role reversal

214 days ago

Toulon's South African lock David Ribbans reacts during to the French Top 14 rugby union match between Rugby Club Toulonnais (Toulon) and ASM Clermont Auvergne at Stade Mayol in Toulon, south-eastern France on June 2, 2024. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

Former England second-row David Ribbans has been named Toulon captain for the upcoming season alongside former France skipper Charles Ollivon.

The 28-year-old has not even spent a year at the Top 14 outfit yet having joined after the 2023 World Cup, but found himself captaining his new side not long after arriving at the Stade Mayol last season. He has now officially been given the role alongside Ollivon, who captained Les Bleus between 2020 and 2021.

Life on the Cote d’Azur has started swimmingly for the ten-cap England international, who was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in June that will run until 2028- effectively putting an end to his international career.

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Ribbans will be reunited with two of his former England teammates Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam this season. Ribbans and Ludlam were also Northampton Saints teammates for six years before the lock’s exit.

In a reversal of roles in France, Ludlam will now serve under Ribbans having previously been his captain at Franklin’s Gardens.

Fixture

Top 14

Stade Rochelais

19 - 15

Full-time

Toulon

All Stats and Data

The English duo headline an extensive list of signings by the three-time European champions over the summer.

Toulon have a tricky start to their Top 14 season with a trip to the Stade Marcel de Flandre on Sunday to face La Rochelle. The match will be a replay of last season’s semi-final qualifier, which Ronan O’Gara’s side won.

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dw 3 minutes ago

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Thanks Nick. Sounds like he’s enjoying the role. Is he contracted till 27? Sorry if you already wrote that in the article.

Swain and Williams are looking good but Frost and Skelton does appeal. From what Parling says Skelton might be brought home fle the Lions.

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macalliy 52 minutes ago

Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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Thanks Nick. He’s always seemed a decent bloke. Our lineout struggled for a while under his stewardship and the Rebels were never great but it feels like we won’t be beaten at set piece in July so the coaches are doing a lot right.

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NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

Yep a bad attack of common sense!

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

Why did he pick Tonga in the first place if he’s a Kiwi HHT?? Answer the question.

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

It is chicken and egg, but ensuring the island nations can play top tier teams or be part of a competition like the rugby championship would be a massive step towards retaining talent so that they mprove.

Yes they have to start somewhere. If they really want the PI’s to be competitive they have to back them to the hilt.

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

You seem to think that because they were developed in NZ they owe the country something. They don’t. They are entitled to represent other nations through parentage, grand parentage or place of birth - just like Sotutu!

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

No he’s a good chance.

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

I doubt either would have made it.

I also don’t think ‘tier one to tier two only’ is an enforceable rule, Theree is to much fluctuation in the world rankings if that is the guide. If say, Tonga suddenly rise to number 6 in the world they cannot reverse course in selection policy!

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

I don’t refuse to acknowledge it at all HHT! NZ has been the main base for talented PI’s after all…

Don’t you feel any sense of awkwardness that KT has won 6 Tonga caps and now wants to rep the ABs?

46 Go to comments

NB 3 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

We can only speculate why KT has decided to change course after repping Tonga Graham - was it in response to a hint from the AB selectors??😉

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NB 3 hours ago

Geoff Parling: An Englishman roasting the Lions?

I don’t think there can be any doubt that the shrink from 5 to 4 hs improved Aussie competitiveness Mitch, and that will breed confidence… That last 20-30 mins is directly influenced by quality off the bench after all.

I don’t thnik there is any chance of WR demanding specilaist back off the pine though. It’s up to opoonents to upset the strategy and expose the risks being taken!

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