Nallet free to leave Castres
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:13
Jean-Philippe Swiadek, the general manager of Castres, has stated that Lionel Nallet will stay at the Club unless he wants to go home.
Born in Bourg-en-Bress in Southeast France, the 31-year-old lock who has become France's captain, started his professional rugby career with Bourgoin in 1998. He played for the club for five seasons before moving to Castres in 2003. He has now played five seasons for Castres.
Swiadek said on the Castres website: "The matter will be sorted out soon. The president is very clear about the matter. Lionel Nallet will stay at Castres unless he wishes to return home for business and a family reasons.. In that case he will join Bourgoin and the club will let him go, taking into consideration the excellent way in which he has conducted himself over several years.
"This is a fair way of working. I know rugby has gone professional but there are still certain values which we strive to keep alive."
The South African flank Gerhard Vosloo will be leaving Castres for Brive next season. Swiadek said that Vosloo had already signed an agreement to go and so Castres had had a good while to prepare for his departure. He said of Vosloo: "He is an excellent player who we have valued."
Castres have been making their way up the Top 14 and are well placed now to qualify for a semifinal spot and for the Heineken Cup next year.
