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Greig Laidlaw posts 'crazy times' farewell after three years at Clermont

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Ex-Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has described his time with Clermont as an “incredible learning experience” after saying farewell to the French club. It was long expected the 34-year-old would be moving on at the end of the 2019/20 season, with rumours of a move to Japan circulating after he apparently turned down an approach from Perpignan. 

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Having arrived from Gloucester in 2017, Laidlaw’s three-year spell at the Stade Marcel Michelin was brought to a premature end by the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The Scot had already announced the end of his eight-year, 76-cap international career in December following the World Cup, and this now looks to be the end to his club career in Europe. 

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He shared his mixed emotions on Instagram after his time with the club ended in ways that he would not have wanted. This is what he said: 

“Due to the current global situation, my time at Clermont has come to an abrupt end. It’s been a fantastic three years – there have been many great times, many fun times and some frustrations as well.

“I’m disappointed that we don’t get to have the opportunity to go out there and win something this season, but I understand why we can’t and that now has to be my time to say goodbye to the club and the amazing supporters – it has been fantastic playing and captaining Clermont on occasions over the last few years. 

“I wish everyone at the club and the Yellow Army all the best for the future. It’s crazy times right now but you will always have a place in my heart and hope you are looking forward to the return of rugby as much as I am!”

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The Top 14 season was terminated in France in early May with Clermont sitting in sixth place. They were also in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals with a home fixture against Racing 92.

It’s understandable that Laidlaw is disappointed there was no glory this season, but this has been a successful tenure for him in France, marked by his 18-point haul in his side’s Challenge Cup final victory over La Rochelle last year. 

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NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

The Six Nations produced so many compelling games and so much of action packed moments that you can only conclude that its the best international comp out there at the moment except for a world cup. If Wales improve it will be even better especially given the strides Italy have made in recent times. The Rugby Championship is now taking a hiatus in a year it really should be building toward something better which is terrible considering the competition was so tight last year. The Nations Champs promises much but one gets the feeling that the 6 Nations teams will not be at their peak given its at the end of their long season. In terms of rugby quality and entertainment Id rather watch the 6 Nations over everything else other than a world cup right now. The North arguably offers more in terms of entertainment than the South at club level as well. The Prem, the Champs Cup, URC and Top 14 all feature plenty of scoring and different playing styles while Super Rugby seems to be the same thing game in game out. While the South tries to speed up the game artificially with new trials and law variations the North has shown you can do it with good refereeing which penalises cynical play harshly and encourages positive actions on the field. In terms of entertainment the North wins. In terms of winning? They are making strides but until they win another world cup or get a team to rank number 1 again for an extended time again they cant really say they are better than the South.

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