Southwell clinches two-year contract with Stade Français

Published on Tuesday 28 April 2009 22:11

HUGO Southwell has signed a two-year contract with French giants Stade Français to replace retiring Puma Ignacio Corleto.

As revealed in The Scotsman two weeks ago, the Scotland full-back has clinched a move away from Murrayfield after six years in the capital. Southwell joined Edinburgh in 2003 from Worcester, having been recommended by former Scotland fly-half Craig Chalmers who was at the English club at the same time. He went on to play 114 games for Edinburgh and it is believed his man of the match performance against Castres in this year's Heineken Cup, and advice from his former team-mate Simon Taylor, drew the attention of Stade Franais.

The 28-year-old started the RBS Six Nations Championship, but lost his place to Chris Paterson, and then suffered severe concussion after coming on late in the Calcutta Cup match for his 48th cap. He only returned last weekend as a replacement for Edinburgh in the 32-30 Magners League win at the Ospreys.

Southwell was in France last night to confirm the deal, but it is understood that he has no intention to turn his back on his Scotland rugby career yet and is hopeful that the move could give him the opportunity to push again for the No 15 jersey in competition with Paterson.

The Scot is understood to be viewed at Stade as a direct replacement for Argentine full-back Corleto, who is retiring at 30, however Southwell will still face competition from Corleto's compatriot Juan Martin Hernandez as well as French caps Lionel Beauxis and Nicolas Jeanjean, who have all played at 15 this season, and former Toulouse and Biarritz full-back Guillaume Bousses.

Southwell told the Stade website: "This is a great opportunity for me to come to Paris and learn a new style of play. I spoke with Simon Taylor during the Six Nations and he said good things about the club, so I'm looking forward to the challenge."