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United Rugby Championship

Leinster make offer for Rabah Slimani to replace Ala’alatoa – report

By Liam Heagney

170 days ago

Clermont's Rabah Slimani (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)

Former France international Rabah Slimani has reportedly been offered the opportunity to join Leinster as a replacement for Michael Ala’alatoa, who is heading to France to join Slimani’s current club Clermont for the 2024/25 season.

The 34-year-old tighthead’s 57-cap Test career ended following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, so there would be no international distraction to factor in if he does take up the opportunity to swap the Top 14 for the URC and an adventure at Leinster, who already have RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett signed for next season.

Slimani has been on the go in the French top flight since making a 2008 breakthrough with Stade Francais, and it was 2017 when he moved south from Paris to Clermont.

Evan Roos on his role within the Stormers squad

Stormers star Evan Roos said he has broadened his knowledge of the game by playing in different positions in the back row for the Stormers this season.

Evan Roos on his role within the Stormers squad

Stormers star Evan Roos said he has broadened his knowledge of the game by playing in different positions in the back row for the Stormers this season.

A rugbyrama.fr report read: “Will Rabah Slimani and Michael Ala’alatoa cross paths at Clermont-Ferrand airport? According to our information, Leinster are very interested in the profile of the Clermont tighthead and have already made an offer.

“At the end of his contract with ASM, Rabah Slimani will leave Auvergne this summer, as we revealed on May 30.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Leinster

43 - 20

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Ulster

All Stats and Data

“While several French teams had come to the former Parisian (34 years old; 57 caps), Leinster are now favourites to welcome Rabah Slimani to their squad. A surprising destination but rather logical given the Irish squad next season.

“Faced with the departure of Michael Ala’alatoa, who will go the other way, Leinster had already sounded out several well-known tightheads, such as Australian Taniela Tupou (28 years old; 51 caps) in particular.

“The Irish province must also cover for Tadhg Furlong (31 years old; 71 caps), an undisputed starter in the position since 2016.

“If he signs for Leinster, Slimani would become the first Frenchman to play for the men in blue.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Bull Shark 5 minutes ago

Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

Not true. I'm a South African and I absolutely loved seeing the Wallabies beating England. And miss the Wallabies of old who were a devastating force with some of the greatest players of all time.

I hear quite regularly that Australians prefer Aussie rules, league, and cricket over rugby.

So again, seems like Australians are to blame for the state of the game in Australia?

16 Go to comments

Bull Shark 13 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I find Ben Smith to be an emotionally driven hysteric. So I question everything he writes.

He launched into the year about the ABs being back this year. For a "journalist" his opinions are based on the flavour of the month.

He's at least gone quiet about how sh1t the boks actually are. Although I suspect he's working on an outrageous article to that effect as we speak, to drive engagement after the end of the Autumn series, as we'll all be taking a break until the 6N.

22 Go to comments

Chesterfield 16 minutes ago

Michael Hooper reacts to Scott Barrett’s controversial late-game call

The dominant pack should be enforcing their superiority with maximum points and the psychological advantage of taking the lead.

You don’t get that by saying we’ll settle for three and try again you get it by scoring seven and trying again. Doesn’t come off every time?

No.

But if you’ve asserted dominance letting the opposition off and not trying to build a double score difference is wrong minded.

All blacks have traditionally played to build the unassailable lead not meekly win a single point victory.

11 Go to comments

Arnold 18 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

Aaah. Ben Smith. Ever the unbiased, objective rugby scribe......NOT.

Unable to give credit where it's due, other than for the ABs, especially when it comes to the Boks. His contempt for them is tangible. If you want to " Get Real" about these ABs Ben, consider when they last beat the Boks??? For us Bok fans, beating the ABs is the only true measure.

22 Go to comments

Reader76 37 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

"they [All Blacks] are nuggety and resourceful and don’t wilt. They are prepared to win the hard way, accumulating points by any means necessary."

Sounds like you're describing your arch-nemesis Ben 😁

22 Go to comments

CM 40 minutes ago

'Steve Borthwick hung his troops out to dry - he should take some blame'

This article only shows a part of SBs failings as England Coach. Firstly his reputation st Leicester was false, his SA and Welsh players won the matches not his coaching prowess. He has Wigglesworth as attack coach, someone who rarely attacked when playing. His player selection is awful, ignoring form players and sticking with failed internationals. He picks players that he knows and will be easy to manage for him. What on earth is Slade doing when even for Exeter he does not make line breaks with steppping, pace or guile, why on earth are Cole,George,Steward,Ford,Iseweke and a few other anywhere near the Team. Borthwick is awful as Head Coach of England.

1 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 42 minutes ago

Key Wallabies trio running hot a year after being left in cold

Good to be writing about a WB team that has beaten two 6 N sides in successive weeks, Brett.

Lolesio indeed is looking very comfortable under Schmidt coaching. He must feel as confident now as he was feeling in his spell at Toulon last year. It will be interesting to see how he does against Finn Russell.

30 Go to comments

J Marc 1 hour ago

'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Your unterstanding of the relation FFR LNR, is far better than the one in the article. For Meafou, there is an article on Skelton saying he is totally indispensable in the australian game.

In France they are often compared, and french game is often, but not always ,based on this kind of number 5. But , there are a lot of kind of play in France and in the world, and it's a blessing, because otherwise, the game would be boring.

On my other post ,which you replied, my intention was to explain with some historics facts the main importance, in France, of the championship.

But ,once again, I would prefer 3 games in NZ , with the better french players.

287 Go to comments

Ninjin 1 hour ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I said before the November tests that the AB's should go smash some Nh teams to find their feet and it seems that is just what they did bar France. Could have should have always sucks. Better to look to the future.

22 Go to comments