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Pro D2

Jimmy Gopperth shows he has still got it at the age of 41

By Liam Heagney

266 days ago

Jimmy Gopperth in action for Provence (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Veteran Jimmy Gopperth provided a new-season reminder on Friday night that he still has plenty to offer as a 41-year-old player in the pro ranks. It was the summer of 2023, having finished up at Leicester Tigers, when the Kiwi opted to try his luck in the French Pro D2.

The out-half proved to be an excellent signing, starting in 23 of his 27 appearances in a hectic campaign that ended with Provence finishing in first place on the table only to lose a promotion play-off semi-final at home to Grenoble by a point.

It was last January when Gopperth, who made an NPC debut for Wellington in 2004, spoke at length with RugbyPass about his considerable career in New Zealand, England, Ireland and now France. At the time he was unsure if he would be continuing at Provence but a one-year extension was ultimately agreed and he got his 2024/25 campaign off to a flyer at Stade Maurice David.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi talks about his friendship with Ardie Savea

Provence were trailing Agen 14-18 when Gopperth was introduced off the bench for the closing 22 minutes to try and help a team that had shipped two yellow cards and a red for Guillaume Piazzoli after reaching the interval 14-13 ahead with the full complement of players.

His introduction was pivotal as he went on to score the result-clinching converted try on 73 minutes which handed Provence their 21-18 success against an Agen XV that had ex-Exeter scrum-half Jack Maunder and former Bristol winger Henry Purdy in their starting selection, with Billy Searle providing out-half cover from the bench.

Elsewhere in the opening round of the French second-tier, former England winger Jonny May was a debut-making winner for Soyaux-Angouleme following his summer switch from Gloucester. The 34-year-old, who was a Steve Borthwick pick at Rugby World Cup 2023, didn’t get on the scoresheet but he played the full 80 minutes in his new team’s 31-24 win at Aurillac.

"For some reason, France has got rugby nailed on…"
– Jimmy Gopperth, with Liam Heagney ??, on his new life at Provence, the club that has signed George North and is linked with Courtney Lawes. #PROD2 #FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/oYa2RlDhNV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 28, 2024

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Comments

2 Comments

AT 264 days ago

Awesome professional! Now enjoying a great life style location with top rugby. Shrewd.

JW 265 days ago

Crickey does he have a zimmerframe or run around in an iron suit?

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 11 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 11 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 11 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 11 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 11 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 11 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍