Heading to France after all…

Former Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes will join La Rochelle in November, with the Top 14 side officially confirming he will become their new Director of Rugby on a four-year deal.

Gibbes announced he was leaving Ulster a few months back for family reasons, and accepted a job with Mitre 10 cup side Waikato. However, it emerged he met with La Rochelle ahead of Ulster’s Champions Cup play-off.

Today’s news confirms Gibbes’ meeting, with La Rochelle stating he won’t arrive until November as this time frame was to allow him ‘solve his personal problem and honour his commitment to Waikato’.

Guess those ‘personal reasons’ weren’t too ‘personal’ after all?