Drew Mitchell accepts French rugby deal

A solid performer and top bloke. Sad to lose a genuine contributor to the game of rugby and the epitome of Australian spirit. Small in statute but big in heart. Good luck mate.

Giteau was poison when he left Australia but from what I've seen his time in France has allowed him to mature. He is playing some good rugby also. It is a pity Deans didn't know how to manage him to be a Wallaby success story...

Not a fan of Cooper Justie. I wouldn't actually select him in my Wallabies XV. Haven't even mentioned him Bizarre that you would jump to such a conclusion...and ignorant

They may be better off. Pity the suckers that replace them. Tahs are talent black hole.

Mitchell has served the game well, particularly since he was seperated from the poisonous influence of Giteau when both left the Force for different teams. I hope he now mature enough to not let that tosser influence him again.

Absolutely - I'm a Tahs man but it makes zero sense that we have an ARU top up offer for Mitchell but not Gill. Well done to Mitchell - has been an excellent servant of Aussie rugby and is heading o/s at exactly the right time. He has had some injuries and there is depth in his position so there is no guarantee of him continuing to make the Wallabies. At the same time he is young enough to get a few years earnings o/s under his belt and has the opportunity to really set himself up for life.

yet ur a fan of cooper no? so ur ok with cooper's media whoring, twitter whoring etc. grandstanding, sooking about deansy criticising him after the argentina game, talking himself up as some boxing talent but have an issue with mitchell :S

Have you ever been to Toulon WB? I was there less than two years ago and couldn't believe mow much of a dump it was. It's a bit like the Gold Coast where it should just have a bomb dropped on it and start from scratch. The only difference is there is almost one full block in the centre of town with two lovely historic buildings which you would keep. The stadium from the outside looks like it hasn't been cleaned in decades. Most of my gripes with Mitchell are more to do with his media whoring shallow statements mixed with a bit of grandstanding. He even sooked about Cheika axing him on the rugby club a few weeks back. The last thing that club needs is player dissent

An overpaid retirement village?

Johnny boy is one of those reds supporters that have no self awareness, they accuse mitchell of being a prima donna for daring to criticise their beloved in cooper for his childish antics last year.

Great move for Mitchell, I've always been a fan however at 29 for a winger I think the 2015 World Cup was a reach. He goes to a great Club in a beautiful part of the World. Well done Drew, you have been a great servant to Australian Rugby.

I have more time for Mitchell than for a good many others, but would have been surprised if he had hung around much longer. The time is probably appropriate for him to make the move and best wishes to him. This is how the Wallabes renew their ranks, and long may it continue. I would hate for there ever to be the case where distance, nostalgia and form against some second division French team would see someone picked over a player that performed against the Chiefs.

Oh yes, heard of that, Horwill mentioned it a bile ago. Bloody rupa! Thanks guys.

Who's labelled Drew a traitor? Not having a go at you but would like to know who's the silly fool who begrudges him his dues? The facts are his has had two seasons of injury concerns, is 29 and really needs to begin to look toward his post Rugby future. Three to 5 seasons in France will go a long way to helping that. He know's he's no longer a Wallby certainty as our wing stocks are actually quite deep. So instead of battling to keep his spot only to lose it before going overseas, he chooses to go while his value is still high and make the most of his talents. This is the life of the pro athlete. You have to maximise your earnings when you can. He's been a loyal servant of the game here and deserves his opportunity to ensure he has a nest egg. I know it's what I would have done. From a time a professional career looked like it was a real possibility for me. While as a younger man (in the football sense) I would have most definitely (as most of the Wallabies do proving they do value the opportunity to represent their country) would have taken the opportunity nearing the end of my pro career here.

What trend? Who has gone/is going that is in line for a call up? Brittle Barnes? OMG, Simon, you're Barnes aren't you!

Yeah NOS there is RUPA (rugby union players assocation) http://www.rupa.com.au/about-rupa/corporate-governance

Simon. Because of the rule, there is no player drain. It's all in your imagination. Drew would be lucky to be picked, with the exception of GS, no other overseas player would stand a chance of being picked full stop. And him only because Pocock is injured and he happens to be at the Brumbies. If he was still in Japan we would not be talking about him at all.

We currently have the 1st and 2nd placed teams on the revised log to determine the overall ladder. The Tahs are improving and the Force are quite competitive and are only really lacking that attacking edge to really to threaten teams. Yes, the Rebels are struggling. It think you are overlooking the competitive nature of this seasons competition. Pundits from all three SANZAR nations have remarked that this season has been the tightest season since the S12. It really isn't as dire as many would like to think.

FU - wow u should see what the kiwi's get paid. nos - theres RUPA

Is there a union or players association here in Oz to defend players interests? In France we have Provale which represents professional rugby players. I wonder if it would be legal in Europe for a federation to do the same as in NZ and Oz and ban players from representing their country if they choose to pay club rugby overseas. I reckon EU laws would prevent clubs from doing this.