Rene Ranger leaves La Rochelle

Former All Black Rene Ranger is returning home from France to play for Northland in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup.

Ranger signed a two-year deal with La Rochelle following the conclusion of the 2017 Super Rugby season but the versatile 31-year-old outside back has been released by the club after only featuring in a handful of games.

Ranger's previous spell in France, with Montpellier from 2013-15, ended when he was seeking to revive his career in New Zealand with the Blues, but he only featured sporadically under head coach Tana Umaga as he struggled with injuries and form.

Ranger made 4 appearances for La Rochelle during the Top 14 season and three times during the Champions Cup.