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Blair Kinghorn poised for an immediate switch to the Top 14 – report
By Liam Heagney
Scotland international Blair Kinghorn is reportedly poised to seal a high-profile switch to the Top 14. It was confirmed last weekend that French Test full-back Melvyn Jaminet had secured a mid-season move to Toulon, leaving a void in the Toulouse ranks that is now expected to be filled by Kinghorn, who is four appearances into his ninth season at Edinburgh.
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The 26-year-old, who debuted for his Scottish club in the 2015/16 season, played for times for his country in France at the recent Rugby World Cup and he is now set for a permanent stay across the Channel.
Rugbyrama.fr have reported: “It is a huge coup on the transfer market that Stade Toulousain will make, according to our sources, the signing the Scottish full-back/fly-half Blair Kinghorn (26 years old, 53 caps) to numerically compensate for the departure of the Melvyn Jaminet to Toulon.
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“It’s been official for a few days, after the reception of Clermont on Saturday evening, that the French international full-back, Melvyn Jaminet (24 years old, 20 caps), will become a player of RC Toulon, who have secured his services until 2028.
“To replace him numerically within their squad, the Stadist leaders had launched a number of avenues, one of which is about to materialise. According to our sources, Stade Toulousain will acquire the services of Scottish international full-back Blair Kinghorn (26 years old, 1.90m, 101 kg), whose signing should be made official in the next 24 hours.
“Currently a player with Edinburgh, Kinghorn (53 caps, 14 tries) will not only finish the season with Toulouse but will also sign a long-term contract with the red and black club since he should commit to at least the next two seasons. A very big pick, then, for the Haute-Garonne club.”
If it is true, what a “coup” for Toulouse!!!
Replacing Jaminet was never going to be easy yet here they are less than a week later with an even better player (in my eyes)…
In addition, I believe he will massively improve by being surrounded by some of the best French talent, he always had the qualities but sometimes was trying a bit too much to do all the work himself rather than make his teammates shine (especially at 10).
On the other hand, I do fear the financial situation of most of the rugby championships will almost exclusively benefit to the Top14….