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Ex-Ireland centre Chris Farrell sacked by Oyonnax

Oyonnax' Irish wing Chris Farrell (L) hands off a tackle from Montpellier's French prop Baptiste Erdocio (R) as he runs with the ball during the French Top14 rugby union match between Montpellier Herault Rugby and Union Sportive Oyonnax Rugby at The GGL Stadium in Montpellier, southern France on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP) (Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

One month after the conviction of two of its players following a high-profile rape trial, Oyonnax Rugby announced the termination of the contracts of Rory Grice and Chris Farrell.

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Farrell (31) was convicted of failing to assist a person in danger.

“Following the verdict delivered by the Gironde Assize Court on December 13, 2024, concerning the criminal case involving Rory Grice and Chris Farrell, the Board of Directors met to decide on their future within the club’s professional workforce,” the club stated in a press release issued on Thursday morning, January 9.

“Also, after having taken note of the criminal convictions handed down against the two players, the members of the Council have unanimously taken the decision to terminate the contracts of Rory Grice and Chris Farrell.”

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      The club declined to provide further comment, noting that it had carefully considered the implications of the decision, despite the players’ decision to appeal their convictions.

      Both players remained active until the eve of their trial. On December 13, 2024, five rugby players, including three still playing in Pro D2, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 4 to 14 years for a gang rape committed in 2017 in Bordeaux. The incident followed a night of heavy drinking after a Top 14 match. New Zealander Rory Grice (34) received a 12-year prison sentence, while Irishman Chris Farrell (31) was sentenced to 4 years, 2 of which were suspended.

      Grice, a back-row forward, had been with Oyonnax since 2017, appearing in 134 games, including three this season before his trial. Farrell, a centre, joined Oyonnax three seasons ago after playing for Munster and earning 15 caps for Ireland. He played 10 matches this season, the last on the eve of his trial. His sentence includes home confinement with an electronic tag.

      Provence Rugby awaits legal developments
      In this case, three other individuals were convicted, one of whom remains active. While Denis Coulson (14 years in prison) and New Zealand third-row Dylan Hayes (2 years suspended) are no longer playing, hooker Loïck Jammes (30) continues to represent Provence Rugby in Pro D2.

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      Jammes, sentenced to 14 years in prison, has played 10 matches this season, despite being summoned to the Gironde Assize Court in December. Since the events of 2017, he has made 96 appearances for Aix following stints with Brive and Agen.

      Provence Rugby issued a statement after his conviction, expressing support for the complainant and reaffirming its opposition to violence. The club has indicated it is awaiting further legal developments before making any additional decisions.

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      I
      IkeaBoy 2 hours ago
      Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

      “Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”

      Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.


      “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

      Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”

      So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…


      “I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”

      I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…

      Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?


      “I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”

      So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?


      “lol u really need to chill out”

      Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?

      171 Go to comments
      f
      fl 3 hours ago
      Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

      “Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca”

      Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.


      “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

      Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made. With Barcelona, Pep made the semi final four consecutive times - with City he’s managed only 3 in 8 years. This year they didn’t even make the round of 16.


      To re-cap, you wrote that Pep “has gotten better with age. By every measure.” There are some measures that support what you’re saying, but the vast majority of the measures that you have highlighted actually show the opposite.


      I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.


      I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright. You’ve also not addressed Eddie Jones.


      I agree wrt Schmidt. He would ideally be retained, but it wouldn’t work to have a remote head coach. He should definitely be hired as a consultant/analyst/selector though.


      “Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.”

      lol u really need to chill out lad. Kiss and Schmidt would both be great members of the coaching set up in 2025, but it would be ridiculous to bank on either to retain the head coach role until 2031.

      171 Go to comments
      I
      IkeaBoy 4 hours ago
      Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

      Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca. The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.


      His time with City - a lower win ratio compared to Bayern Munich as you say - includes a 100 PT season. A feat that will likely never be surpassed. I appreciate you don’t follow soccer too closely but even casual fans refer to the sport in ‘pre and post Pep’ terms and all because of what he has achieved and is continuing to achieve, late career. There is a reason that even U10’s play out from the back now at every level of the game. That’s also a fairly recent development.


      How refreshing to return to rugby on a rugby forum.


      Ireland won a long over due slam in 2009. The last embers of a golden generation was kicked on by a handful of young new players and a new senior coach. Kiss was brought in as defence coach and was the reason they won it. They’d the best defence in the game at the time. He all but invented the choke tackle. Fittingly they backed it up in the next world cup in their 2011 pool match against… Australia. The instantly iconic image of Will Genia getting rag-dolled by Stephen Ferris.


      His career since has even included director of rugby positions. He would have an extremely good idea of where the game is at and where it is going in addition to governance experience and dealings. Not least in Oz were many of the players will have come via or across Rugby League pathways.


      Gatland isn’t a valid coach to compare too. He only ever over-achieved and was barely schools level without Shaun Edwards at club or test level. His return to Wales simply exposed his limitations and a chaotic union. It wasn’t age.


      Schmidt is open to staying involved in a remote capacity which I think deserves more attention. It would be a brain drain to lose him. He stepped in to coach the ABs in the first 2022 test against Ireland when Foster was laid out with Covid. They mullered Ireland 42-19. He was still heavily involved in the RWC 2023 quarter final. Same story.


      Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.

      171 Go to comments
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