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Vainikolo on the move

By Online Editors
Thursday 5 Jan 2012

French second division Rugby Union club La Rochelle signed former England international wing Lesley Vainikolo from Gloucester.

The 31-year-old Tongan-born back, who won the last of his five England caps in 2008, will be reunited with La Rochelle's forwards coach Patrice Collazo, who played alongside him at Gloucester.

Vainikolo, a former New Zealand Rugby League international, is likely to start training with his new teammates early next week.

La Rochelle, relegated from the Top 14 last season, are presently joint-fourth in the second tier, nine points adrift of leaders Grenoble.

* Meanwhile France international wing Julien Malzieu opted to sign a new two-year contract with 2010 Top 14 champions Clermont.

The 28-year-old, capped 16 times, had been heavily courted by Top 14 rivals Stade Francais but in the end decided to stay loyal to the side who he has been with since 2006.

AFP

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