Levani Botia turns down Leicester Tigers

Blockbusting Fijian hybrid player Levani Botia has turned down advances from Leicester Tigers and will stay on at Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle – it was confirmed this week.

The Fijian skipper had been heavily linked with a move to Steve Borthwick’s Premiership league leaders but has instead been convinced to stay put at Les Corsaires.

It was confirmed this week that Botia has signed on for another two seasons at the club which he joined in 2014.

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Champions Cup Chaos, Eben Etzebeth drama & we speak to Zach Mercer | Le French Rugby Podcast | EP 12

We catch up with England international Zach Mercer to find out all about the Covid cases in the Montpellier camp, their European ambition, how he’s thriving on and off the field in France, being back on Eddie Jones’ radar after a chat at a recent Top 14 game and much more. Plus, we discuss the lay of the land in the Top 14 and how the regulations in France are affecting rugby and the Champions Cup. And, we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

Botia is a rare breed of player who can play both in the back row and in the centres, where his explosive ball carrying appears to be equally effective.

The 32-year-old has more recently been deployed by O’Gara as a back row. O’Gara told Le Equipe this week: “It’s just added value for our back row which, since the start of the season, has taken a small hit in  with the career stoppage of Kévin Gourdon and the lack of availability of Wiaan Liebenberg and Victor Vito.”

Botia (6ft, 103kg) is nicknamed ‘The Demolition’ man and has been a mainstay of the French side throughout their climb through the French ranks.  He has played 141 matches in Yellow and Black, becoming a cult hero at Marcel Deflandre.