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TOP 14Brive

Scotland outcast Alex Dunbar among 10 players released from Top 14 Brive

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Out-of-favour Scotland midfielder Alex Dunbar is on the hunt for a new club after being released by Brive, the Top 14 outfit coached by ex-Ireland and Lions lock Jeremy Davidson. The 2019/20 top-flight season was terminated on Thursday, French officials finally admitting defeat in their quest to eventually restart the suspended season. 

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Brive have now quickly come out of the blocks, revealing the identity of the ten players who are exiting Stade Amedee-Domenech. That exodus will include Dunbar, the 30-year-old who won the last of his 31 Test caps with a November 2018 appearance versus Argentina at Murrayfield.

Dunbar spent nine seasons at Glasgow Warriors, winning a PRO12 title in 2015, but he fell out of favour with Dave Rennie. After wrapping up last season with a couple of appearances in Newcastle’s relegation fall from the Gallagher Premiership, he headed to France in the hope that his one-year deal would be the spark that would revive his career. 

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He told RugbyPass last December that he felt the switch was paying dividends, describing himself as settled and content, but it now remains to be seen where he pitches up for the 2020/21 season. 

He made seven top 14 appearances for Brive is now on an extensive departures list that also features wingers Guillaume Namy (31) and Franck Romanet (34), hooker Francois Da Ros (36), loosehead Karlen Asieshvili (33), second row Jan Uys (26) and Richard Fourcade (27), tighthead James Johnston (34), back Rory Scholes (27), and centre Alban Ramette (21). 

Samoan international Johnston is moving to PRO D2 club Rouen, who are coach by ex-England scrum-half Richard Hill. 

Meanwhile, ex-Fijian international Leone Ravuetaki is among the five departures from second-tier Biarritz. Elvis Levi, Pierre Bernard and Nick Smith have also left, with Asier Usarraga joining top-flight Bayonne.

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Ardy 2 hours ago
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JD Kiwi 3 hours ago
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Tom 6 hours ago
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Bull Shark 7 hours ago
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Tom 9 hours ago
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RW 9 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 10 hours ago
Melvyn Jaminet handed huge suspension and fine by France

Now lets see what happens to the two French “alleged” rapists in Argentina…

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Rob 10 hours ago
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Good

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Bull Shark 11 hours ago
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It’s all going to come down to kicking form. I suspect if Libbok shines up on his kicking in training he’d start with DW at 15 and SFM covering 23. Getting yanked if it’s a tight game. But it won’t be long until SFM is the incumbent 10.

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DG 13 hours ago
Why England should take Joe Marler’s advice and build for the future in the front row

I’m surprised that Craig Wright isn’t getting a mention. His performances, throughout the World Champs were consistently great and his stats must be up there. He very active in the open and appeared to do a great job in the scrum, but I’m no expert!

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RugbyAnalysis 13 hours ago
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Turlough 13 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

35 Go to comments
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MO 14 hours ago
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SA deserved the win, ABs were error prone and I believe a little complacent. I am assuming a Fiji vs France final, unless the Boks can destoy Dupont’s dream again.

23 Go to comments
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WR 14 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

35 Go to comments
W
WR 14 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

23 Go to comments
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Mzilikazi 14 hours ago
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Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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StephenE 14 hours ago
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Bull Shark 14 hours ago
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I see shifting from 7s to 15s as a pretty logical and good developmental step for good rugby players. But going 15s to 7s makes little sense for most. Which is why I agree AdP is a freak. Which is why France will win the gold and smash everyone as the rightful no.1 favourites!

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Bull Shark 14 hours ago
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Let the disparagement and abuse BEGIN! Pity Ireland can’t lose without (some fools) feeling sorry for themselves. Attitude determines your altitude.

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WR 14 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

My comment disappeared

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