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Jamie Cudmore has left his post as assistant coach with French club Oyonnax with immediate effect. At the same time the ongoing issues from the fall-out that ended his time at long-time club Clermont Auvergne has seen the former Canada lock visit a leading French neurologist for testing.
The 39-year-old Cudmore played for Clermont Auvergne for 11 years. He was a regular for the Top 14 club, holding down a starting position in the second row during his 2005-2016 playing career with the club. He departed to complete his career with Oyonnax.
Concussion Controversy
His move came immediately following controversy which led to him taking legal action against Clermont for medical negligence. He argued that his former club had breached the Head Injury Assessment which enabled him to return to playing in a match despire having failed a concussion test.
The match was the 2015 Champions Cup Semi Final against Saracens. The Canadian’s actions against his former club are against team doctors who he believes ignored his safety to boost the team’s chances in the match.
Two weeks later Cudmore was knocked out playing for Clermont against Toulon. This time it was in the Champions Cup Final. Within two minutes of kickoff the Canadian was unconscious and vomited in the dressing room. Team doctors nonetheless allowed him to return to the field.
Yesterday Cudmore met with neurologist Dr. François Chedru, who had been appointed by the court of Clermont-Ferrand. The findings of which are to be delivered in the coming weeks.
Departs Oyonnax
Cudmore’s fight against his former club has coincided with him now officially having ended his time at Oyonnax. A disagreement between Cudmore and Director of Rugby Adrien Buononato on the Canadian’s coaching role is reportedly behind the decision.
The club has released a brief statement:
“After having expressed a disagreement with Oyonnax Rugby’s management and board of directors, Jamie Cudmore decided to end his employment contract with the club and the management board responded favorably to his request with immediate effect.”
Oyonnax are currently bottom of the Top 14, one place below Agen. Both clubs won promotion from the Pro D2 last season. They are battling against Brive and others to avoid relegation.
