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Ohio Aviators bookend Jamie Mackintosh is headed back to France. The one-time New Zealand All Black prop joined PRO Rugby after spending time as a medical joker with Montpellier last season. With his former provincial side Southland opting not to offer him a Mitre 10 Cup contract, Mackintosh will instead return to the Top 14, once again as a medical joker for Pau, headed up by another former All Black, Simon Mannix. Mackintosh is set to spend several months with the club after veteran loosehead Julian Jacquot suffered a neck injury against Castres in pre-season action two weeks ago.
The move should suit both parties nicely. With most of the European signings already long on the books, to find an experienced prop of Mackintosh’s caliber at this late stage is a rarity. At 31 years old Mackintosh enjoyed a fine season with the Aviators, starting all 12 of their games at loosehead and scoring an impressive five tries.
Pau finished in 11th spot in the Top 14 during the 2015-16 season, a year after winning promotion from Pro D2. A handful of Americas players are currently at the club. Canadian lock Cameron Pierce and former Pumas midfielder Santiago Fernández are on the senior squad. Two further Canadians – prop Matt Tierney and lock Matt Beukeboom – and two Argentines – prop Joel Sclavi and hooker Ignacio Calles – are part of the academy program.
