Russell makes French switch
14 Oct 2008
Former Springbok, Brent Russell has signed for French Top 14 outfit Clermont Auvergne and will join up with his new teammates in the next few days.
The 28-year-old signed for Saracens last season, but a broken collar bone within days of his arrival in August 2007 restricted his first team appearances. He has not featured in the first XV this season after a shoulder injury in pre-season ruled him out of the first few weeks of the new campaign.
But the now fit-again former Stormers and Sharks speedster would have found his first team opportunities limited following the development of the likes of England U20 international Noah Cato and recent performances of Chris Wyles added to the other back three options within the Saracens squad.
Following discussions with Russell, Saracens director of rugby, Eddie Jones has agreed to let him join Clermont.
“Brent is at the stage of his career where he needs to be playing regular first team rugby and we are unable to offer that at this time,” Jones told the club’s official site.
“We have strength in depth across the back three and in the last two weeks we have seen the exciting steps forward that Noah Cato has taken, while Chris Wyles continues to impress following his arrival on secondment from USA Rugby.
“Also, with players like Kameli Ratuvou, Richard Haughton, Francisco Leonelli, Rodd Penney, Edd Thrower and Dan Scarbrough within the squad, we have a number of options.
“With that in mind, when this opportunity arose for Brent to move to one of the leading clubs in France, we felt it would be wrong to stand in his way. He’s very popular with players and supporters alike and we all wish him the best for the future.”
Russell admitted the move to France had come out of the blue but he was looking forward to kick-starting his career in the Top 14.
“The offer from Clermont came out of left field and was totally unexpected. I had high expectations for my season here at Saracens – especially after some good pre-season training – and I was looking forward to playing some great rugby when I damaged ligaments in my right shoulder.
“Apart from the series of injuries, I have been very settled and happy here at Saracens and have made some very good mates who I will really miss.
“However, the life of a professional sportsman is all about taking one’s opportunities and the offer from Clermont is a good one.
“I am really looking forward to getting involved in the French style of play and feel that playing in France will suit my game. I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Russell will in all likelihood have to focus on playing at fullback with opportunities on the wing hard to come by at Clermont, with the likes of French internationals Julien Malzieu and Aurélien Rougerie in the club’s ranks – as Fijian winger Vilimoni Delasau found out when he left the club to join Montauban this year.
20 Comments
14 Oct 2008, 12:44 pm
Hmm pity,I thought he would have done well under Eddie
14 Oct 2008, 12:50 pm
Thought he would have done well with the Boks under the ELV’s… although can’t think where they would play him (possibly as an impact player off the bench at Fullback??)… I doubt we’ll ever see him in the Green and Gold again.
14 Oct 2008, 12:58 pm
#2 chappy: take a lesson out of Percy’s book. Never write a player off. If Pocket Rocket gets regular game time in France we could well see him knocking on the Springbok (Protea ?) door come 2011…
14 Oct 2008, 12:59 pm
and I would love to see him fly again in SA under the ELVS.
14 Oct 2008, 13:00 pm
Interesting move.
It is a shame. With Steyn looking to play 10 or 12 and Percy retiring, I think Brent would make a great 15 for the Boks. There is no other 15 in the squad beyond Jantjes. Only guys who specialise in other positions who have played 15 before like Ruan, Jacques and JP.
And Kirchner and Rose simply aren’t good enough yet, in my opinion.
A youngster like Wilton Pieterson, however, should be looked at more closely to take over from Jantjes at some point.
14 Oct 2008, 13:50 pm
great talent
stil good play Boks. I have him same as Jacobs..players whoc anbreak open defences.
14 Oct 2008, 13:56 pm
Spot on Puff – W Pietersen is going to be something special if he is managed properly. Maybe give Ludik a look in right now for immediate back up but please ….not Rose.
14 Oct 2008, 14:10 pm
Didn’t he always wanted to play flyhalf?
We need a flyhalf
PdV make the call!
14 Oct 2008, 14:15 pm
I agree. He should get a call up
14 Oct 2008, 15:50 pm
Bring back the pocket rocket!
Sure the guy has he’s faults, but if you put players on either side of him that can compensate, such as Steyn at 12 and Pienaar or Du Preez at 9 then these issues are not a problem and he can add an extra element to the Bok’s game!
14 Oct 2008, 15:51 pm
Clermont vs. Watford (no brainer)
14 Oct 2008, 16:15 pm
Surprised at this move but it might be a good one. Clermont are a bigger club than Saracens.
14 Oct 2008, 16:24 pm
jeez, some big names there.
14 Oct 2008, 16:32 pm
Is Wilton Pietersen related to JP? please excuse my utter ignorance.
14 Oct 2008, 19:39 pm
Eddie Jones always favoured big wings … Sailor and Tuquiri
A french may be the answer for this talent … or a homegrown Selborne Kockitt / Russell combination for the “Spears” instead of what the Lions will dribble out again in the Super 14!
14 Oct 2008, 22:37 pm
Fly him in at 10.
Remember how well he performed at pivot against Aus at Ellis Park in 2002 – the game that was won by a late Werner Greeff try…
15 Oct 2008, 08:04 am
hmm even eddie jones thinks russel is kak !!!
stay in france brent, no need for more bench warmers in south africa..
15 Oct 2008, 12:19 pm
#15 kevin w: Agree completely.
#17 stephen: Russell would walk into the Cheetahs and Lions teams! Eddie Jones doesn’t think he is kak, he has just never being an advocate of small wingers! Anyway, Russell should be playing 10 in SA – his far better than some/most of the kak claiming to be fly halves out there at the moment – i.e. Messa’s Rose and Potgeiters!
15 Oct 2008, 14:07 pm
wow have just been through all the european rgby posts!
Guess what? no controversy and race bickering/vommiting!
how bloody refreshing to see storys on rugby, not many comments though but thats cool too, new to this blog in posting but have been reading for the better part of a year and just cant stomach all the nonsense in SA, how do you get schedules of the guiness premiership and when is it screened?
15 Oct 2008, 15:54 pm
He is finished. Brent failing to get into Sarries. He should come home beforre his career is finished.
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