Pro D2 team sign two 2017 British & Irish Lions and disgraced French prop

Pro D2 side Biarritz made a late splash on the player market, signing three internationals; Rhys Webb, Jonathan Joseph and Mohamed Haouas.

The club had to act quickly after the sale of the team fell through late on Thursday, leaving the club with just 24 hours to finalise their squad for the 2023/24 season.

Quick business

Biarritz will be looking to fight for promotion back to the Top 14 next season and after months of talks with Webb and Joseph, they completed the signings.

However, Haouas’ situation was far different. On Friday morning, the prop was sentenced to nine months in prison after being found guilty of “aggravated violence” committed in 2014. Later in the day, Clermont announced that he would not be joining the club from Montpellier.

Clermont had attempted to get his contract cancelled but were rejected by a tribunal, and on Friday, the club announced that they had reached a financial agreement to part ways.

“ASM Clermont Auvergne confirms that Mohamed Haouas will not wear the colours of the club on July 1, 2023. To date, there is no longer any commitment between the Montpellier tighthead prop and the Clermont club,” the statement read.

It added: “Our players have a duty to adopt exemplary behaviour in all circumstances, on the field and beyond, in and in particular to be aware, as players in high-level rugby, of the impact their image, their gestures or their words, particularly vis-à-vis the public and the media. Those who do not respect these rules have no place at ASM Clermont Auvergne.”

Shortly afterwards, reports surfaced that Haouas would be joining Biarittz, which were confirmed later that evening.

The 16-Test cap France international has signed a two-year deal with Biarritz. Rugby Rama approached the club for comment on the signing of the disgraced prop, and they responded, stating, “Nobody banned Mohamed Haouas from playing rugby. On our side, we are only respecting the presumption of innocence.”

Two Lions

While it is yet to be officially confirmed by the club, multiple outlets in France state that Webb and Joseph have signed two-year deals with the side.

Both players toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and add nearly 100 Test caps worth of experience to the squad.

34-year-old Webb represented Wales during the 2023 Six Nations and was part of their training squad for the Rugby World Cup. However, he called time on his international career at the end of May.

He announced his retirement on social media, citing that “present uncertainty and difficulties in Welsh rugby” and “an opportunity to play abroad” played a key part in his decision.

Meanwhile, Joseph leaves Bath after a decade-long stint at the club. The 54-Test cap centre departs the Premiership club despite having a year left on his contract.

According to Sud Ouest, the club have also signed former Wasps flyer Zach Kibirige as well as Robin McClintock and Antoine Domercq from Montpellier and Racing 92, respectively.

Meanwhile, Clermont confirmed that Caleb Timu will join the club as Rugby World Cup cover, with Waratahs-bound lock Miles Amatosero staying at the side until the end of the year.

READ MORE: England sensation Henry Arundell seals move to Top 14 giants