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Dillane confirms Connacht exit as rumours link him with Irish great

By Paul Smith
Ultan Dillane in action during a Connacht rugby squad training at The Sportsground in Galway. (Photo By Matt Browne/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Connacht’s Irish international second row Ultan Dillane has ended months of speculation by confirming he will leave the Galway Sportsground at the end of the season.

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And as-yet-unsubstantiated rumours suggest that the 28-year-old will join former Ireland no.10 Ronan O’Gara who now coaches at La Rochelle.

Connacht’s statement says only that he will join an “overseas club” with last season’s Heineken Champions Cup finalists and their Paris-based Top 14 rivals Racing both seemingly in the running to clinch Dillane’s signature.

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Ronan O’Gara

Current La Rochelle and soon to be Toulon fly half Ihaia West joins us to discuss the heartache of losing out in two finals last season, the criticism he received, learning lessons under Ronan O’Gara, the contrast in playing style with his head coach, how the move to Toulon came about and the prospect of a switch in nationality after the change in World Rugby’s eligibility laws. Plus, we round up all of the Champions Cup action, look ahead to Round 2 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

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Ronan O’Gara

Current La Rochelle and soon to be Toulon fly half Ihaia West joins us to discuss the heartache of losing out in two finals last season, the criticism he received, learning lessons under Ronan O’Gara, the contrast in playing style with his head coach, how the move to Toulon came about and the prospect of a switch in nationality after the change in World Rugby’s eligibility laws. Plus, we round up all of the Champions Cup action, look ahead to Round 2 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

Having played 19 times for his country since his 2016 debut, should the French-born lock make the move across the Channel the cap he won against Japan in the summer will be his last for a while.

The lock has made 122 appearances for Connacht to date, winning his first senior cap back in December 2014 having come through the province’s academy system.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but ultimately I feel that the time has come for me to experience a new challenge in my career,” Dillane said, in a statement.

“I am forever grateful to all the coaches and wider staff at Connacht I’ve worked with these past 10 years. You have all helped make my dream of becoming a professional and international rugby player a reality.”

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“I’ve also been fortunate to play alongside some incredible players both for Connacht and Ireland, and I have made some friends for life,” Dillane added.

“The Connacht supporters are among the best in the world and I’d like to thank them for all the support they’ve given me too. The West of Ireland will always be a special place to me.

“I will be giving absolutely everything to finish my time in Connacht on a high, and help all of us to go on to have a really successful season. This is a team on the up and I’ll forever be a Connacht Rugby supporter.”

The rumour connecting Dillane with La Rochelle was given added substance when the Aquitaine-based club announced the sudden retirement of French international back-five forward Kevin Gourdon who had recently signed a new two-year deal.

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According to their announcement Gourdon has abruptly called time on his playing career at the age of 31 following the discovery of a heart problem.

“It’s brutal and sad news, but my health is a priority,” Gourdon told the club’s website.

“Unfortunately it’s something we can’t control, I’m not in a position to do anything to make the situation different, so I have no regrets.”

Gourdon joined La Rochelle from Clermont in 2012 and played 221 games for the club as it went from the second division to last season’s Champions Cup final. He also played 19 times for France.

 

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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