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Veteran Canadian second-rower Jamie Cudmore will leave Clermont at the end of the 2015-2016 season. Confirmation was made by Frank Azema that the 37 year old’s eleventh season at the Central French team will be his last.
While at Clermont Cudmore has played in numerous French and European finals, winning the Top 14 title in 2010 against Perpignan. Last season his club competed in both the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup finals, losing against Stade Français and Toulon with Cudmore missing the latter through injury.
Testament to the quality of the long-time serving Canadian can be seen by him holding down a starting position ahead of French internationals. In total he has amassed 58 appearances in Europe and 167 in the Top 14 for Clermont.
While his time at Clermont is coming to a close Rugby Rama reports that Pro d2 leaders Lyon are closing in on signing the Canadian on a two-year deal. It would be his fourth professional club overall. His career began at Llanelli in western Wales in 2002, followed by a season at Grenoble before arriving at Clermont in 2005.
Capped 39 times by Canada, Cudmore acted as vice-captain to Tyler Ardron at Rugby World Cup 2015 and led the Canucks in the opening match against Ireland in Wales and again vs Romania in Leicester. It was his fourth Rugby World Cup having played in Australia 2003, France 2007 and New Zealand 2011.
