Top 14: Brive refuse Riki Flutey's request to
leave, but say 'au revoir' to Andy Goode
24 February 2010
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Staying put: Riki Flutey
Photo: Michael Paler |
England
centre Riki Flutey has been told to stay and honour
his two-year contract at Brive.
The
want-away England star had reportedly agreed a two-year deal
with Irish province Munster - as well been offered a
three-year deal to return to former club London Wasps - but
must now stay in France for at least one more year.
The
30-year-old has only played four games for Brive since
joining in the summer, with a shoulder injury and
international duties severely curtailing his appearances.
It is
understood Flutey has struggled to settled in France since
his move and is unhappy at the direction the club is
currently moving in. Specifically he was not impressed by
their decision to release England fly-half Andy Goode -
initially on a loan deal to Natal Sharks and then to take up
a three-year contract with Worcester Warriors.
Brive
are currently eight in Top 14 and struggling to secure
qualification both for the end-of-season play-offs and for
the 2010/11 Heineken Cup. Munster - who are one of the
powerhouses of European rugby - were keen to sign Flutey to help fill the void created
by the imminent departures of South Africa's Jean de
Villiers and New Zealand's Doug Howlett, according to media
reports in France.
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The
ambitious Limousin club has had a turbulent season in
France, sacking previous head head coach Laurent Seigne
before Christmas after a disastrous run of results left
Brive flirting with relegation. On-field performances have
improved since then under Ugo Mola but the club will have a 20% reduced budget next
season, and the new head coach is known to favour a more
French orientated squad after a plethora of recent overseas
signings.
However,
Brive CEO Simon Gillham has reportedly insisted that Flutey
fulfills his two-year contract with the club and (for the
time being) told the New-Zealand born centre that no move
away will be countenanced.
"I am
still contracted to Brive," Flutey told The Times
this week. "Simon Gillham has told me that I am contracted
to them for another year and I will fulfil that," he added.
It
hardly sounds like the mutual love-in that greeted news of
Flutey's arrival 12 months ago, but in this era of player
power it seems the club has put its foot down to
re-establish its authority.
Top 14 Transfers 2010/11
However,
Flutey's Brive colleague Andy Goode has confirmed he will not be
returning to the French club after his loan stint with Super
14's Natal Sharks.
Goode -
who announced his temporary move to
South Africa last week - will instead move back
to England to take up a contract with Worcester Warriors in
the Guinness Premiership.
The
17-times capped Goode enjoyed a successful maiden season
with Brive in Top 14 but has struggled with both form and
injuries this year, losing his place to Fabrice Estebanez -
who was recently called up to the French squad for the first
time on the back of his impressive performances.
Goode
becomes the second Top 14 based player to sign for Worcester
next season following Luke Rooney's capture from Toulon. "I
have thoroughly enjoyed my spell with Brive," said the
former Leicester Tigers player.
"I've
made some fantastic friends and really benefitted from
playing in a new environment. I'm now looking forward to the
wonderful opportunity I've been given to take part in the
Super 14 with Sharks and broadening my skills and
experience," added the 29-year-old.
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