Tuesday Round-Up
- 2069
Tuesday Round-Up
Trinh-Duc not ruling out Super Rugby
Montpellier pivot François Trinh-Duc is interested in moving to Super Rugby despite announcing recently he will join Toulon next season.
The France international signed a three-year deal with the European champions last week, which will bring to an end a 15-year association with his hometown club, Montpellier.
But although he said his impending move to Toulon was motivated by a desire to try something new, the 29-year-old would not rule out a switch to Super Rugby later in his career.
"I took the time to reflect before making a long and difficult choice," he told AFP.
"It's an important choice in my personal and professional life.
"After the World Cup disappointment (he was left out of the France squad), I wanted to try something totally different, maybe even Super Rugby.
"In any case, that's something I still have in mind.
"It was a complicated decision given I had offers from Toulon, Toulouse and Montpellier, who had made a huge offer to keep me.
"The president (Mohed Altrad) reminded me many times that he absolutely wanted to keep me."
But the chance to join a team that has won several tournaments over the last three seasons was too tempting to turn down for a player who has won no trophies in his club career – the closest he came was when Montpellier lost to Toulouse in the 2011 Top 14 Final.
"Above all, it's a sporting choice," added Trinh-Duc.
"Toulon should allow me to step up to a new level at an important time in my career.
"I've come to the point where I need to leave to continue improving so I can reach my best level.
"I will be able to work with those who know best – Jonny Wilkinson and Diego Dominguez – two world class (former) players in my position."
Trinh-Duc denied that his switch to Toulon was financially motivated.
"Two years ago (when he extended his Montpellier contract) I didn't make my choice due to my salary," he explained.
"It wasn't what tipped the scales this time either. It comes into play in the negotiations, but president Altrad and Toulouse both made me good offers."
Scarlets defence coach signs new deal
Scarlets have confirmed that their defence coach Byron Hayward has extended his contract with the region until the end of 2017/18.
Hayward is the latest to put pen to paper at the region and the news comes just weeks after head coach Wayne Pivac confirmed that he would remain in West Wales for another two seasons.
Former Wales international, Hayward, has been in the role at the Scarlets since joining Pivac's coaching staff in August 2014 after time spent plying his trade at Ebbw Vale, Sale Sharks, Wales U20 and as the Welsh Rugby Union's National Academy skills coach.
Scarlets General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels said: "We are pleased to see Byron committing his future to the region.
"The addition of his signature, following on from the news only a few weeks ago that we have retained Wayne's services, shows the coaching staff's eagerness to continue to develop this current group of talented players.
"Continuity within the coaching group for the next few seasons will see us continue to build on the foundations already put in place over the last twelve months or so. Wayne has built a strong coaching group around him in Byron, Stephen and Ioan, and the fruits of their labour are already clear for all to see after such a strong start to the Guinness PRO12 season."
