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La Rochelle confirm 8 new signings including Thomas and Dillane

01 Jul 2022

Teddy Thomas /Getty Images

Heineken Champions Cup title holders La Rochelle have confirmed that they have signed France winger Teddy Thomas from Racing 92 and Irish second row Ultan Dillane from Connacht.

Dillane – who was born in Paris – confirmed he would be leaving Connacht back in December but it took until today for Ronan O’Gara side to make it official.

Thomas’ departure from Racing 92 has been the talk of the French rugby this year, although it was widely known that he was heading to the yellow and blacks on the west coast.

Mark Cueto on England rugby, Eddie Jones and the try that never was | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 40

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Mark Cueto on England rugby, Eddie Jones and the try that never was | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 40

Today we’re delighted to be joined by Ex England & Lions legend Mark Cueto to help preview an incredibly mouth watering weekend of international test match rugby, as well as hear some incredible stories from throughout his illustrious career. From Brian Ashton losing control of the England team at the 2007 world cup, to his hatred for Stuart Lancaster, the inside story of ‘Dwarf Tossing’ in NZ in 2011 and his thoughts on ‘Crazy Eddie Jones’ – there’s a lot to enjoy in this episode. Plus Ryan has just got back from a remarkably loose weekend in the Caribbean, Max has just flown in fresh from a stag-do in Vegas and Mark’s been at a 4 day wedding in New York – so on top of the rugby be prepared for a lot of fantastic stories and anecdotes .

Thomas has 28-caps for France, although he didn’t feature for Fabien Galthie’s side in this Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam campaign due to injury. A renowned finisher, Thomas has played 16 matches this season for the Parisians, scoring 10 tries.

The pair’s arrival was announced today alongside that of George-Henri Colombe Reazel, Yoan Tanga Mangene, Antoine Hastoy, Quentin Lespiaucq, Thierry Paiva and Ulupano Seuteni.

Dillane is the only non-JIFF recruit, though he will arrive in France with the benefit of language.

The Franco-Irish second line spent nearly eight years in Galway, where he made over 126 appearances.
He will also leave behind a bidding career with Ireland, where he has won 19 caps to date. He hasn’t featured for Ireland since last year.

He played 13 matches for Connacht this season , including two in the Champions Cup.

As well as O’Gara, the 6’6, 114kg Dillane joins fellow former Irish second row Donnacha Ryan, who is already very much enscounced at the Corsairs as a coach.

O’Gara conjured up a coaching masterclass to inspire La Rochelle to a last-gasp 24-21 Heineken Champions Cup final victory over four-time champions Leinster at the end of May.

Underdogs coming into the final, the French outfit snatched victory at the death when replacement scrum half Arthur Retiere squirmed his way over from a ruck on the Leinster line to put his side ahead with a mere 17 seconds left on the clock.

additional reporting PA

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Comments

1 Comment

KS 1049 days ago

Awesome signing, Dillane. Really rated him coming through, but he doesn't seem to have pushed on. A really athletic lock, perfect partner for Big Willy

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 2 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 2 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍