Welsh fly-half Owen Erasmus has signed with European champions Bordeaux-Begles.
The deal marks the second dream move in the matter of months for the 20-year-old from Cardiff. Earlier in the season, he had joined South African outfit Stormers from the Ospreys’ academy.
That opportunity came about in December, allowing Erasmus to spend the latter half of this season enjoying a new experience of playing rugby in Cape Town at the same club as Springbok stars Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse.
Having been training with the Stormers’ under-23 side, he will now move to France next month to link up with the back-to-back Champions Cup winners.
Again, it will give the young Welshman the chance to share a building with another of the world’s premier fly-halves – with Matthieu Jalibert having just played his part in their dominant run to a second European crown.
There had been the option for Erasmus to come back to the UK, with clubs in England having been interested.
However, a move to the best club in Europe was believed to be an opportunity that he could just not turn down.
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France will also provide a full-circle moment for Erasmus and his family, with his 94-year-old grandfather having spent some time in France teaching.
He’s now helping out his grandson with the language ahead of the move next month.
Bordeaux is just the latest high-profile club that Erasmsus has signed with in the early stages of his career.
Prior to joining the Ospreys’ academy, the former Wales U19s international had been a pupil at Millfield Sixth form – while he was also a part of Bath’s age-grade system.
He was linked with a move to Saracens, but ultimately chose to head back to Wales.
“In terms of my game, I’d like to say my general variety in attack and in my passing are my strengths,” he told WalesOnline back in February. “I’d like to be thought of as a running threat.
“That variation between run-kick-pass and playing flat to the line.
“One day, I’d love to play international rugby. Most boys do.
“It’s just seeing where my hard work gets me. If I keep ticking away, hopefully opportunities will come.”
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