The leaders and staff of Clermont are active on the transfer market to look for one or even two openers for next season. According to our information, the track of an English international has been activated while two other names are coming back insistently on the Michelin side…
Who will be Clermont’s flyhalf next season? To date, there is only one certainty: Benjamin Urdapilleta will leave ASM and return to Argentina at the end of the 2024-2025 financial year. For the rest, the Clermontois leaders and staff are busy in this strategic position for the ASM. Already, last June, Christophe Urios declared that number 10 was one of the ASM’s recruitment priorities. If the Clermontois manager has not yet signed his extension with the Auvergne club, the crazy pace of the “transfer window” does not wait.
In this context, the Clermont management is looking for a solid opener. Among them, George Ford is a profile that greatly appeals to Clermont leaders. According to our information, a substantial offer would have been sent to the England international (31 years old; 96 caps). But several factors could slow down the operation. First, Ford is still under contract until 2026 with Sale. To achieve the “deal”, the ASM should therefore pay the compensation for the 2025-2026 season. Then, the former number 10 of Bath and Leicester is still a preferred choice of Steve Borthwick with the XV de la Rose. As a reminder, an English player can only be selected if he plays in the Premiership.
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With Enzo Hervé, discussions on track
A golden CV which is therefore worth it. Alongside this first option, the profile of Harry Plummer is also being studied at the Marcel-Michelin stadium. The New Zealand flyhalf of the Auckland Blues (26 years old; 1 cap with the All Blacks) is an “attacking” flyhalf capable of playing in the center. Between Ford and Plummer, both are in any case targeted to replace non-Jiff Benjamin Urdapilleta.
Because Clermont decision-makers will also have to decide the case of Anthony Belleau. At the end of his contract next June, the Jaunard who arrived in 2022 may not be retained. Because according to our information, Enzo Hervé received an offer from ASM and discussions are, to date, positive between the two parties. The current Toulon opener (26 years old) has an optional year with the RCT but the recruitment of Matéo Garcia could accelerate Hervé’s departure.
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Finally, Théo Giral is also at the end of his contract at Clermont this season. The young fly-half (21 years old) trained at ASM has only made one appearance this season (against Racing 92) and does not seem, for the moment, to be part of Christophe Urios’ plans. Clermont therefore has the cards in hand to find its, or its future openers while waiting for the extension, or not, of its manager. The future of the latter should also be clarified this week, still according to information from Midi Olympique. Major project at the start of this “transfer window”, the opening half position will then have to be replaced by extensions, or not, of several major non-Jiff players. Marcos Kremer, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Rob Simmons and Bautista Delguy are notably concerned. Key elements of the Auvergne squad, the decision of their destiny should not wait…
