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TOP 14

Former England would-be Stooke to stay in France

VILAMOURA, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 30: Zach Mercer (L) takes on Sam Underhill and Elliott Stooke (R) during the England training session held at Browns Sports Club on October 30, 2018 in Vilamoura, Portugal. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

English lock Elliott Stooke is set to continue his rugby journey in the Top 14 by extending his time with Montpellier as a World Cup joker.

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Although uncapped, Stooke participated in a wider England training camps in 2018 and 2019. The 28-year-old will become a free agent following the upcoming tournament.

In January, Stooke made the decision to join the ranks of the Top 14, following in the footsteps of other ex-Wasps players after the demise of the club, signing with Montpellier until the end of last season.

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At that time, Montpellier held the title of reigning French champions. Stooke’s move came after a short-term injury cover deal at Bristol.

He had sustained a fibula fracture playing for Wasps back in May during a match against Sale.

Stooke made his return to the pitch during the Barbarians’ English club tour in November and subsequently joined Bristol as a short-term signing on December 2. During his time with Bristol, he featured in three matches, including an appearance in a European Challenge Cup game against Perpignan.

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Comments

1 Comment
I
Ian 494 days ago

A good player and I wish him well. A real pro.

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Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 30 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 31 minutes ago
Rob Howley: Warren Gatland is 'the best coach in the world'

Get off the meth, Rob.

2 Go to comments
B
Bobbyjohn 32 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 34 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 42 minutes ago
'England's blanket of despair feels overdone - they are not a team in freefall'

Fair comments.

17 Go to comments
F
Flankly 47 minutes ago
The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

Agree.

7 Go to comments
N
Nik 56 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 1 hour 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 2 hours 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 2 hours 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 2 hours 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 2 hours 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 2 hours 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 2 hours 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 2 hours 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 Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones
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