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TOP 14

Stade Francais confirm 13 players leaving, including ex-Wasps duo

By Liam Heagney

06 Jun 2023

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Stade Francais have confirmed the names of 13 players leaving their squad now that their 2022/23 Top 14 season has ended, a lengthy list that includes Paolo Odogwu and Vincent Koch, their two mid-campaign recruits from the busted Wasps.

The Paris club bowed out of the French title race with their 33-20 home play-off loss to city rivals Racing last Saturday, losing out on a place in this Friday’s semi-final versus Toulouse in San Sebastian.

They have now confirmed an overhaul of their squad with Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal set to take charge after their upcoming Rugby World Cup duty working as assistants to France coach Fabien Galthie.

Odogwu and Koch were among the casualties when 167 players and staff lost their jobs with last October’s announcement that Wasps has financially collapsed.

Both were quickly snapped up by Stade but their respective stays have now ended with one-time England prospect Odogwu set to compete for a place in the Italy Rugby World Cup squad and Koch doing likewise with the Springboks.

Paolo Odogwu has gone from the highs of an England squad call-up to lows of redundancy with Wasps, but come out the other side with Stade Francais and a spot in the wider Italian national squad.
It's been some ride…@RugbyTimes https://t.co/UrqzUohE8l
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 1, 2023

About Odogwu, Stade tweeted: “Arrived from Wasps during the season, our centre/winger is leaving after 12 games under our colours.” And about Koch, they posted: “Arrived from Wasps during the season, our mainstay world champion is returning home as the World Cup approaches.”

The full list of Stade leavers is: Arthur Coville (Provence), Alex Arrate, Jame Hall (Racing), Marcis Kremer (Clermont), Sione Tui (Provence), Telusa Veainu (Sale), Harry Glover, Nemo Roelofse (Perpignan), Morgan Parra (Stade Francais coaching staff), Theo Dachary, Vincent Koch, Paolo Odogwu, Sitaleki Timani. Coaches Gonzalo Quesada and Laurent Sempere will also exit.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Hellhound 41 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 45 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 1 hour ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 3 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU