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Jamie Cudmore’s move to Oyonnax has been confirmed, but has taken an extraordinary turn. While a two-year contract as a player-coach had been previously suggested by the French media, the deal will now be four years with Cudmore taking over the reins as Head Coach from 2018-19. The agreement is particularly notable given that his coaching credentials thus far have included only a short stint with Canada as a defensive and forwards assistant during the Americas Rugby Championship.
The move signals the end of more than a decade with Clermont Auvergne, who he joined in 2005. A neck injury and public spat with current Clermont supremo Franck Azema has likely spelled the end of his season. Which division Cudmore will be playing in next season is yet to be determined, but looking increasingly likely to be Pro D2. Oyonnax are currently in second to last spot in the Top 14, two points ahead of Agen and 13 behind Stade Français. Should they be relegated it will be Cudmore’s first experience in the French second division, having spent his entire career in the country in the Top 14.
Cudmore’s desire to coach the Canadian team has not been kept secret, and though Mark Anscombe’s elevation to the position this week effectively rules out the possibility before the end of 2019, a role as an assistant could well be on the cards with Rugby Canada keen to prepare a Canadian to take over the lead role following the World Cup in Japan. Cudmore’s new contract, which runs until June 2020, could mark him as a prime candidate to be groomed as Anscombe’s eventual successor.
