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Liam Gill has confirmed he will leave Australian rugby for French giants Toulon at the end of the 2016 season.
Gill, still just 23, has been a club stalwart at the Reds for six years, and has played 15 Tests for the Wallabies.
Many good judges saw him as a favourite to take the Wallabies’ number 7 jersey due to his ability on the ground in case of retirement or injury. He missed Wallabies selection in 2015 due to the good form of David Pocock and Michael Hooper, despite playing excellent rugby at Super level.
Worryingly, Gill cited that he feels he has done everything he can in Australian rugby and wanted to look for a new opportunity.
“It was a very difficult decision, but I felt the time was right to challenge myself and play rugby in a different environment,” Gill said.
“I feel I have done as much as I can in Australian Rugby and now look to enjoy a new opportunity.
“It’s really difficult to leave the Reds, but I’m excited by the opportunity this current group has for the season. This news just gives me even more drive to repay the faith of the QRU and the support of our fans.”
The Reds expressed their disappointment with Gill deciding to leave.
“It’s disappointing to be losing Liam to an overseas club, but we understand he has weighed up his options and decided this was too good an opportunity to refuse,” Reds executive general manager Daniel Herbert said
“Liam is a talented player and someone who has made a great contribution to the Reds over the past six years after graduating from our elite pathways system. He has international aspirations but plays in a position in which Australia have significant depth and he felt he would have limited Wallaby opportunities.
“Whilst we are disappointed to see him go there are limitations to what we are currently able to do if players garner overseas interest and aren’t in the top band of Wallabies. We hoped a flexible contract would encourage Liam to stay in Queensland and Australia but in the end he felt this was his best option all things considered.
“We know his focus will remain on the Reds while he is still at Ballymore and hope his final year with us is a successful one.”
What do you think Roarers?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.