A list of names for your consideration: Julien Bonnaire,
Jamie Cudmore, Nathan Hines, Brock James, Morgan Parra, Aurélien Rougerie,
Sitiveni Sivivatu, David Skrela.... Conor McCann.
A parade of stars including New Zealanders, Australians, Scots and some of the finest rugby players in the history of French rugby. So what links a Canadian U20 fly-half to this illustrious grouping? They will all be in the roster of ASM Clermont- Auvergne's senior squad for tomorrow's pre-season fixture versus Lyon.
Clermont Head Coach Vern Cotter has elected to dress a 28-man roster for Friday's contest, and has included McCann on the reserves bench, along with a select number of the club's top-ranked academy players. Equally pleasing to the Ontario Blues product will be the strength of the roster in which he has been included. Clermont's line-up will feature players who, are not only some of the finest on their club, but who are widely acknowledged to be some of the finest in the world. The Shawinigan Lake School graduate is tremendously excited about the opportunity he has been handed.
"I guess, firstly, I am extremely excited and very nervous at the same time. I'm feeling pretty anxious to get out there and hopefully show some good skill and awareness; enough to put some confidence in the coaches about my ability. I'm loving the opportunity this club is giving me to get to where I ultimately want to be, and hopefully I can repay them with a convincing win on Friday!"
McCann's success is only the most recent of a number great
Canadian stories to emerge from Clermont. Clermont-Auvergne, which has long
been one of Europe's elite rugby organizations, runs two different academy
teams, which are known as "Les Reichels" (U21) and "Les
Espoirs" (U23). Former Canada U20 lock and British Columbia product Cam
Pierce has also been making strides in France. The Pro Report spoke
to Pierce about his own time at Clermont, which began almost two seasons ago.
"The first few months I found it hard with the language
barrier, but that's not an issue anymore as I understand almost everything that
goes on around me. We are forced to push ourselves in all the trainings week in
and week out, if not, there is someone behind you that will gladly take your
position.
There are two locks who have left this year from Les
Espoirs, so I should get a lot of playing time as a starter there. I had
license problems just after Christmas last year and then I had a neck injury
which set me back a few months. I got back in time to play with Les Reichels
(U21) in the playoffs, as the locks with Les Espoirs had all secured their
positions, while I was injured. Les Reichels lost 21-9 in last year's
semi-final versus Bayonne but our Espoirs team beat Perpignan in the final
22-19, after being tied at full time. Our U23's have been Champions of France
for the last three years.
I am more on track than before to stay here for the next two
years. Before it was a matter of missing home and not being used to living in a
country that speaks another language, but as time has passed I have grown very
fond of the club and will hopefully be able to call ASM my club for some
time."
The journey of Pierce and McCann through the Clermont
academy program has numerous benefits, but perhaps the most important among
them is the effect their training has on their professional eligibility in
Europe. Any athlete who remains under contract with a French professional club
for three years, even at the youth academy level, becomes exempt from the
normal restrictions which usually apply to Canadians and other so-called
"import" players.
The journey has not always been an easy one, but as Pierce
explains, Canada's most accomplished active professional has been on-hand to
make sure the Canadian youngsters remain grounded, supported and focused.
"With Jamie Cudmore here, he has helped us adjust a lot
quicker, he has sort of taken me under his wing and is always there for advice
or anything I need. Its always nice to get away from the city and have a good
meal, and I even got to borrow the old man's car one week. I didn't know Conor
before he arrived here but we instantly became good buddies. He's a good guy
and has a huge career ahead of him.
I hope to get capped for Canada within the next few years
and sign a Top 14 or Pro D2 contract; ideally with ASM Clermont, but I
would be happy to play anywhere in France."
Looking after youngsters has taken on a different meaning this summer for Canada's legendary lock forward, when the Cudmore family was treated to the arrival of a healthy baby boy. We were fortunate enough to talk to Jamie this summer about all of the Canadian action at ASM Clermont, which includes a shiny new two-year contract extension for Clermont's bruising second-row.
"Well, I heard firstly from Mike James about Cam and was asked as to whether there was any room for a young Canadian prospect over here in our youth setup. There was, and they managed to get Cam over for a trial, which ended up with him finalizing a contract for the next two years after working hard for the last ten months. He has adapted well to the play over here and the obvious barrier of language and culture haven't been a problem either. He's come into a quality youth setup with the various squads winning national titles over the last few years.
He played a big part in the Espoirs third French title run last year, so now with a lot of the squad moving on to loaner clubs or other contracts, he will be a big part of defending the title this year. I think, if he keeps working hard and continues here, there's no telling where he will end up. I would love it if he takes my spot, just not too soon!
Conor also has a big opportunity to try and establish himself in the Espoirs group and maybe continue to train up with us, as players with promise tend to do. He impressed early during our training camps over the winter and I'm excited to see whether that raw talent will play out on the field. He has the luxury of being coached by Alex King who was a very successful fly-half in his own right and this should be great for his development.
Personally it's great to see some other Canadians making a go of it over here. In my humble opinion, the Top 14 is the toughest and highest quality rugby in the world and to have two youngsters working to get to that level will in turn help Canadian rugby, when they head back for international duty."
All three of Canada's stars at ASM Clermont-Auvergne are getting ready for incredibly big seasons. But for Conor McCann, this Friday will be one that lives long in the memory. We will continue to bring you coverage of Canada's stars in France and across the overseas rugby world throughout the 2012-13 season, right here, with The Rugby Canada Pro Report
Follow Canada's stars at ASM Clermont on Twitter:
Looking after youngsters has taken on a different meaning this summer for Canada's legendary lock forward, when the Cudmore family was treated to the arrival of a healthy baby boy. We were fortunate enough to talk to Jamie this summer about all of the Canadian action at ASM Clermont, which includes a shiny new two-year contract extension for Clermont's bruising second-row.
"Well, I heard firstly from Mike James about Cam and was asked as to whether there was any room for a young Canadian prospect over here in our youth setup. There was, and they managed to get Cam over for a trial, which ended up with him finalizing a contract for the next two years after working hard for the last ten months. He has adapted well to the play over here and the obvious barrier of language and culture haven't been a problem either. He's come into a quality youth setup with the various squads winning national titles over the last few years.
He played a big part in the Espoirs third French title run last year, so now with a lot of the squad moving on to loaner clubs or other contracts, he will be a big part of defending the title this year. I think, if he keeps working hard and continues here, there's no telling where he will end up. I would love it if he takes my spot, just not too soon!
Conor also has a big opportunity to try and establish himself in the Espoirs group and maybe continue to train up with us, as players with promise tend to do. He impressed early during our training camps over the winter and I'm excited to see whether that raw talent will play out on the field. He has the luxury of being coached by Alex King who was a very successful fly-half in his own right and this should be great for his development.
Personally it's great to see some other Canadians making a go of it over here. In my humble opinion, the Top 14 is the toughest and highest quality rugby in the world and to have two youngsters working to get to that level will in turn help Canadian rugby, when they head back for international duty."
All three of Canada's stars at ASM Clermont-Auvergne are getting ready for incredibly big seasons. But for Conor McCann, this Friday will be one that lives long in the memory. We will continue to bring you coverage of Canada's stars in France and across the overseas rugby world throughout the 2012-13 season, right here, with The Rugby Canada Pro Report
Follow Canada's stars at ASM Clermont on Twitter:
Jamie Cudmore (@JNCudmore)
Cam Pierce (@CDPierce4)
Conor McCann (@CMcCann10)
---------------------------------------
Jeff Hull is a freelance contributor to Rugby Canada. His Rugby Canada Pro Report can be read regularly on this website, as well as n Facebook, Twitter or in the blogosphere.
To contact the author, write to: jhull@rugbycanada.ca
Cam Pierce (@CDPierce4)
Conor McCann (@CMcCann10)
---------------------------------------
Jeff Hull is a freelance contributor to Rugby Canada. His Rugby Canada Pro Report can be read regularly on this website, as well as n Facebook, Twitter or in the blogosphere.
To contact the author, write to: jhull@rugbycanada.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment