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Castres Olympique have publicly confirmed the signing of Tyler Ardron from the Chiefs. Canada’s Rugby World Cup 2019 captain will depart New Zealand at the completion of Super Rugby Aotearoa to join the French Top 14 club on a two-year contract.
Ardron is now in his third season at the Hamilton-based Chiefs after joining from Ospreys in Wales. He was originally signed through the 2021 season but will end his Super Rugby stay a year early to make the switch to France. To date Ardron has played 31 games for the Chiefs, all but one as a starter.
As suggested in March the versatile forward is set to play lock for his new club. It’s in the second row where Ardron has played much of his rugby for the Chiefs though he typically occupies the No8 position for Bay of Plenty and when on international duty.
Just two weeks shy of his 29th birthday, Ardron effectively replaces the retiring Rodrigo Capó Ortega at Castres. He joins fellow Canadian forward Matt Tierney though Taylor Paris has now left the club. Also joining on a two-year deal is Teros scrumhalf Santiago Arata with Pumas flyhalf Benjamín Urdapilleta continuing for another season.
Castres have confirmed a dozen additions for the 2020-21 season. Among the notables are German prop Julius Nostadt, who played opposite Ardron in the 2018 RWC Repechage tournament, and Fiji Olympian and World Cup flanker Semi Kunatani. Current Fiji Sevens star Filimoni Botitu has also signed.
🏉 2ème ligne : Tyler ARDRON (2 ans)
A 28 ans, le 2e ligne canadien évoluait depuis 2017 aux @ChiefsRugby, avec lequel il a été élu meilleur joueur de son équipe par ses pairs la saison dernière. Capitaine du Canada (37 s.), @tyardron est notamment un véritable leader de touche. pic.twitter.com/LG28FCvK6r
— Castres Olympique (@CastresRugby) June 4, 2020
