News: Andy Goode confirms permanent Brive exit; England unchanged for Ireland

23 February 2010

Brive fly-half 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.

Top 14 Transfers 2010/11

News of his departure also comes just days after it was reported that Brive and England colleague Riki Flutey will also be leaving the French club in the summer after signing a two-year deal with Ireland's Munster.

It continues on ongoing overhaul of the Brive squad, with the dual goals of reducing a large wage bill and putting more emphasis on recruiting French players.

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.

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"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.

Goode's erstwhile Brive colleague Jamie Noon, meanwhile, was called up to train with England following an injury to centre Dan Hipkiss this week. Noon's call up is recognition of the superbly consistent season he has enjoyed with Brive this year (in his maiden season), something borne out by the fact he has played more minutes in Top 14 than any other player this season.

Noon didn't make the squad to play Ireland at the weekend though, with England manager Martin Johnson opting for an unchanged starting XV to face the defending Six Nations champions. Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson remains at fly-half after overcoming a minor injury scare, and a growing chorus of critics in the British press who appear unconvinced by the World Cup winner's current form.

"Everyone is pointing fingers at Jonny but it's a team issue," said the England manager in his defence of Wilkinson. Johnson went on to say that suggestions Toby Flood would provide England with more creativity were "simplistic".

Wilkinson, meanwhile, said he was "as unsatisfied as I've ever been" in reflecting on his own England performances. "In every game I've ever played I've never been satisfied. I'm at the same level of dissatisfaction as I've been throughout my entire career," he added.

Johnson did, however, make changes to his bench with Brive's Steve Thompson missing out this time in favour of Lee Mears as the reserve hooker, while Joe Worsley comes in for Steffon Armitage and Ben Foden for Matt Mullan.

England starting XV v Ireland: Delon Armitage (London Irish); Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks), Riki Flutey (Brive), Ugo Monye (Harlequins); Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon), Danny Care (Harlequins); Tim Payne (London Wasps), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Simon Shaw (London Wasps), Steve Borthwick (Capt, Saracens), James Haskell (Stade Francais), Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers), Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Subs: Lee Mears (Bath), David Wilson (Bath), Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers), Joe Worsley (London Wasps), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton).

Elsewhere in France, Stade Toulousain's Fijian centre Maleli Kunavore has undergone heart surgery and will not play again this season, while Clermont Auvergne's French prop Lionel Faure has been ruled out for a month with strained ligaments in his left knee.

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