FRANCE U20 sensation Marko Gazzotti has swapped the Alps for the Atlantic and the ProD2 for the Top 14 after agreeing to leave Grenoble for Bordeaux on a four-year deal in time for the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
It’s some coup for Bordeaux, and a statement of ambitious intent from the 18-year-old – he turns 19 in September – but he’s treading a career path that, though well-worn in France, can be fraught.
Back row Gazzotti, named Player of the Tournament after Les Bleuets romped to a third World Rugby U20 Championship title in a row last month in South Africa, had been the subject of speculation for some time.
The player – already well-trained in the art of media work, it seems – had watchfully dead batted questions about his future when Midi Olympique caught up with him shortly after he had returned home with his France U20 colleagues from the successful trip to the Western Cape.
“We’ll see what to do for the future when I get back,” he said at the time. “Stay at Grenoble for another season? I don’t know, I can’t say. It’s impossible, at this precise moment, to predict what will happen in the future.”
He was on the radar of both Toulon and, especially, Toulouse, reports suggested. But, as it turned out, Bordeaux – now under the management of Yannick Bru – beat Toulon and Toulouse to Gazzotti’s signature, agreeing to buy out the last year of his current academy contract.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
