2023-08-08 17:38:09
A surprise recruit for Stade Français. The Parisian club has just announced on Tuesday the signing of Rory Kockott as “World Cup joker”. While international players are preparing for the World Cup, which is being played in France from September 8 to October 28, the Top 14 clubs, which start on August 19 for 3 days before taking a break until the end of the Coupe du world, have the right to strengthen for this particular period.
Stade Français has therefore chosen to come out of early retirement Rory Kockott, a 37-year-old scrum-half who has 11 caps with the XV of France. The South African-born player has spent most of his career at Castres (12 seasons), with whom he was twice French champion (2013 and 2018), before taking semi-retirement last season. In the staff of Castres Olympique, Kockott had indeed played a few matches with the CO to help out. He will do the same for the Stade Français during the three matches of the Parisian club in the Top 14 (travel to Perpignan on August 19, reception of Oyonnax on the 25th and Montpellier on September 2).
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Engaged as Joker World Cup, the Club is counting on the experience and professionalism of the n°9 to make a successful start to the season during the World Cup period. The double French Champion will join us on Monday.
Welcome Rory!
– French Stadium Paris (@SFParisRugby) August 8, 2023
Shortcomings in the scrum-half position
Stade Français lost all three of their scrum halves from last season (Morgan Parra retired and joined the staff, Arthur Coville moved to Provence Rugby and James Hall to Racing 92). His recruits not being all available, he needed reinforcements, as Parisian coach Paul Gustard explains “First of all, we are very happy to welcome Rory’s reinforcement as scrum half. Initially, one of our recruits at the post, Brad Weber, will join us only after the end of the World Cup because of his contract which binds him to the New Zealand Federation. »
The Stade Français has other problems in this position of 9. “Also and unfortunately, in this pre-season, we recorded the temporary injury of one of our other recruits, Hugo Zabalza (between 4 and 6 weeks according to the medical service, Ed), explains Gustard. In this position, we identified a need to strengthen ourselves because only Jules Gimbert and Thibault Motassi (18 years old, training center) are available today and in case of problems we needed cover for our first 3 games. Rory was available, competitive and up for the challenge. We are very happy to have him come. »
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