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TOP 14Clermont

Ambitious ProD2 side Aix-en-Provence sign former France lock and a Wallaby

Maro Itoje of England and Alexandre Flanquart of France in action during the RBS Six Nations match (crunch) between France and England at Stade de France on March 19, 2016 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

ProD2 side Aix-en-Provence have shown their ambition this week by signing a former France second row and a one-time Wallaby.

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The side have confirmed the signing of two internationals, who are both currently playing in the Top 14: Clermont Auvergne centre Clermont Peter Betham and Bordeaux second-row Alexandre Flanquart.

The pair have signed two-year deals.

Betham won two caps for the Wallabies back in 2013 before making his way from the Waratahs to Europe where he has starred for Leicester Tigers for two seasons in the Gallagher Premiership from 2015 and then on to Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 in 2017.

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The 32-year-old was originally born in Wellington New Zealand before moving at an early age to Sydney where his rugby union career blossomed.

Flanquart, who stands 6 feet 9 inches tall, will join Aix-en-Provence from high flying Bordeaux Begles. The towering lock enjoyed a spell with the French national team that saw him amass 22 caps.

The pair will join the club, who currently sit in 13th on the ProD2 table, in July.

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Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 5 minutes ago
Did Rassie Erasmus miss a trick with his latest South Africa squad?

By that logic the Boks could play Wales and Scotland and call it a tour of the UK.

49 Go to comments
F
FC 6 minutes ago
Rob Howley: Warren Gatland is 'the best coach in the world'

Get off the meth, Rob.

2 Go to comments
B
Bobbyjohn 6 minutes ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

A new coach won’t solve all our ills which are abundant, but as with Aussie coach and many soccer examples, a new voice can provide success in the short term, bring breathing space while the WRU, academies, regions, under 20’s etc can be totally stress tested, a system put in place for long term success. I won’t hold my breath. The WRU put Gatlands contract in place, which was over generous with no break clause-they should be the ones to take the hit when he goes. Walker first to be dismissed, his salary can contribute.

21 Go to comments
R
RobinHood 8 minutes ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

It’s obvious that Ben has beef with anything South African. Probably never set foot on the field with his limited knowledge .All the top teams are extremely close with a bounce of ball or contentious call impacting a result. Not all teams can stay at their pinnacle. The Boks are benefiting from good structures & depth at the moment. Could have , should have , would have & I might have been a millionaire. We will enjoy our time at the top but NZ will come again.

30 Go to comments
F
Flankly 17 minutes ago
'England's blanket of despair feels overdone - they are not a team in freefall'

Fair comments.

17 Go to comments
F
Flankly 21 minutes ago
The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

Agree.

7 Go to comments
N
Nik 31 minutes ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Earl

Willis

Underhill


Fixes the balance if you use Tom instead of Jack

5 Go to comments
O
OJohn 51 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Obviously Borthwick is the problem. He's inflexible. It's his way or the highway. Trouble is he's going the wrong way.

14 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Fiji vs Ireland | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

Fiji. 1 point.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

I tend to agree with Campese. This is probably the last chance Eben has of winning the award. But man, Cheslin and PSDT have been sublime.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Possibly. But this welsh team is no better than a good URC team at this point.


But a tough match is what is needed for the inexperienced in the group. Building depth etc.


Nobody learns anything pumping a team by 50.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Rob Howley: Warren Gatland is 'the best coach in the world'

Jeepers. That’s a nuclear response given the context.


By all means back the man. But there’s no need to go overboard with calling him the world best coach.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

He played a big role, as director of rugby prior to stepping in as coach, putting systems in place. He’s been involved in many of these players careers since they were teens or debutants at their provincial teams.


So I agree with you 100% it’s not Gatlands fault the pipeline of players is poor.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Johan Ackermann returns to SA in new coaching role

Rassie is going to coach the boks until he’s 65. Never get tired of this.


I said a while ago that a South African would do well with Wales. Similar philosophy to the game. Perhaps Johan should do a stint at Wales?

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

It could be about the cut. It doesn’t seem wise to risk a reinjury.


Also an opportunity to give others a run.

7 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

It a hypothesis sure, perhaps Felix has a sweet deal lined up somewhere else. But I also don’t think he’d say something about that environment if it wasn’t true. He doesn’t strike me as a douche.

14 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Just a hypothesis. What on earth else could be the issue with regards to the environment as claimed by Felix?

14 Go to comments
J
JM 1 hour ago
'Lightweight' Premiership not preparing England players for Test rugby

You start off talking about physicality and then quickly segue to intensity as if they're the same thing.

If you think the Premiership isn't physical then you're either a fool, or being disingenuous.

One of the issues the Premiership does have when it comes to intensity is that the bonus point structure makes the last 20 minutes of lots of games meaningless. Everyone's wrapped up their points, benches are cleared, the quality of the game deteriorates, and what could be tense conclusions end up just petering out.

12 Go to comments
T
Tom 2 hours ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is incredible and probably the best of the bunch but in Underhill and Earl we have two excellent alternatives.


Willis is solid in the lineout but I don't think Borthwick would pick a backrow without a 6'5" blindside.

5 Go to comments
T
Toaster 2 hours ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

As an ABs fan there’s nothing to justify

The Boks are the best and just know how to win

And their depth is incredible now

And when they don’t they lose late on by one point


The rest of us aren’t too far away (some closer than others)


But in reality if we include England Argentina and now Aus rugby looks greatly competitive


Bongis knock on and Lomaxes double bank

These things happen


The fact is the ABs overall have evolved with new players and others like Aumua Vaai and Williams who have progressed immensely


But by and large although it has improved overall our second halves are a massive work in progress


So a B- is about right provided there is no loss to Italy

A loss drops it to C- !!

Remember we could have lost all three games to England but were just slightly better that’s all

30 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat
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