French bug gets Mitchell
Wallaby and Waratahs wing Drew Mitchell is set to leave Australia to pursue a career at French club Toulon later this year.
The wing, who has been out of favour at the Waratahs, will be joining friend Matt Giteau at the star-studded French outfit. It has been a tough decision for Mitchell but heading towards the twilight of his career he needs to make clever decisions.
It is said to be confirmed by the ARU as well as the Waratahs on Wednesday.
Mitchell told the Sydney Morning Herald: "First and foremost, playing for Australia means absolutely everything to me.
"I have been to a few different clubs … Of the three I have played [at], I certainly feel most at home here," he added.
The 63 test veteran has battled in recent seasons with injuries as well as form and a trip up north could be a great decision for his rugby career.
"It's a challenge thing, what I want out of footy and life," Mitchell mentioned.
Another Australian who was set to jump ship was Adam Ashley-Cooper, but his trip to Japan was halted after he was unable to get an early release from the Waratahs and so has signed a new deal with the Australian Rugby Union.
A player like Ashley-Cooper would have been lured back by the prospect of a British and Irish Lions Test and that is an opportunity that a lot of players would not miss.
For Mitchell, the prospect of getting a call-up to the Wallabies squad is quite far off because he is unable to start for the Waratahs and that seems to suggest that he would like to get playing sooner rather than later.
He is expected to sign a two year deal with the French club which will see him lose out on a potential World Cup spot in 2015.
