Brumbies and Wallabies prop Dan Palmer is set to leave Canberra at the end of the Super Rugby after signing with French club Grenoble.
The 24-year-old tighthead, who made his Wallabies debut against Scotland last year, is regarded as one of Australia's most technically sound players in his position.
''French rugby is something I've always been interested in,'' Palmer told Fairfax Media.
''The opportunity came up and when I assessed everything it was the best option for me from a development point of view for rugby - and the chance to experience another top-level competition.
''It's a style of game I really enjoy and I think I can really develop and grow my game as a tight-head in French rugby. With the props they've got over there, you're playing against the world's best scrummagers every week and that's a challenge I'm looking forward to.''
''In Europe it's set-piece focused and very confrontational, but not as fast as what Super Rugby is,'' he added.
''I'm really looking forward to getting into a European style of game. It's a really good opportunity to have more scrummaging experience as a player and potentially moving into coaching [when I finish].'
''[Future Wallabies prospects] definitely came into consideration, it's not something I took lightly,'' Palmer said.
''I thought about it for a long time and spoke to all the people whose opinions mean a lot to me and I've come to the conclusion that at the moment experiencing French rugby is my best option. But in the future I'm certainly not closed to the idea of coming back.''
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
I mean "fund" themselves
Posted 19:49 29th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Presumably Palmer is paying Grenoble to play with them. I guess that is one way Grenoble can fun themselves vs the bigger clubs... Ozzie props, Japanese locks and Georgian wingers. Genius.
Posted 19:48 29th January 2013
ADShark says...
He must be a good prop.
Posted 18:20 29th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
What is going on in Australian rugby that a young player in a needed postion w/in that squad is so willing to leave. Combined with all the head coach bashing...they need to regroup quickly. Perhaps they need the fresh start at head coach sooner rather than later. This is similar to Rodzilla's big introduction to Wallaby rugby followed quickly by an exit for the north.
Posted 17:23 29th January 2013
dodgyrog says...
an aussie prop going to France, that must be a first. He will get well educated in the dark arts over here.
Posted 16:06 29th January 2013