Top 14: Former All-Black scrum-half
Marshall quits Montpellier
for Saracens
15 January 2009
Former
All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall has left Montpellier
less than a week after being suspended by the French Top 14
club for refusing to go on as a late substitute against
Toulouse.
The
veteran Kiwi has joined English club Saracens for the rest
of the season after first choice Neil de Kock broke his arm
against Bristol at the weekend.
The
much-travelled 35-year-old, who won 88 caps for the All
Blacks, failed to make an impression in France as he
struggled to hold down a regular position in Montpellier’s
starting XV.
His
refusal to go on against Toulouse always seemed likely to
prompt a split, and it appears both parties were happy with
Thursday’s outcome.
“Montpellier have been very attentive in their listening and
have facilitated me making a quick decision,” said Marshall.
“Saracens is a high-profile, quality club, and I am looking
forward to joining with the squad. There is still a good
chunk of the season remaining, and I am excited about
contributing on and off the field.”
The New
Zealander departs Montpellier after a tumultuous week for
the French club, which saw new president Philippe Deffins
resign after less than a month at the helm. The departing
president blamed financial problems for his sudden
resignation and Marshall hinted that off-the-field pressures
had also been a factor in his own decision to leave.
“After
recent discussions with Montpellier in relation to my
one-year contract, it was mutually agreed that I wouldn’t
renew. In light of the current changes at Montpellier, and
the Saracens approach, the timing fits just right,” he said.
Saracens
coach Eddie Jones was clearly delighted to capture Marshall,
who returns to the Guinness Premiership after an earlier
spell with Leeds.
“Justin
is one of the most experienced scrum-halves in the world and
a really tough competitor,” sad Jones. “We are lucky to be
able to sign someone with his knowledge of the game.”
Marshall
will join his new team-mates this weekend, but will not play
in their ECC clash with Viadana on Sunday.
Meanwhile, his former club Montpellier
lost 24-28 at home to Northampton Saints in Thursday
evening’s Pool 2 clash – their third successive defeat, and
their sixth in their past eight games.
Frikkie
Walsh and Louis Picamoles both scored as they briefly
rallied to take a surprise 17-15 head, but Stephen Myler
kicked a brace of penalties to put the visitors back in
front before Sean Lamont’s late try sealed the win.
Elsewhere, England coach Martin Johnson has called up
Brive’s in-form fly-half Andy Goode to train with the
England EPS squad in Portugal.
Goode,
28, has nine England caps to his name already and joins
fellow fly-halves Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood in the
England squad.
“It was a good opportunity
while we are in Portugal to see Andy and give him some
training time with the EPS squad. Like a number of other
players he remains on our radar,” said Johnson.
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