Clermont appoint new coach ahead of Stormers showdown

Christophe Urios has been named as Clermont head coach after the French club sacked former All Blacks loose forward Jono Gibbes.

Clermont is scheduled to take on the Stormers in a Champions Cup match at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, but it have to be without their new boss.

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Following announcement of his appointment, it was also confirmed that the 57-year-old Urios will only take charge of the team from next week — 28 January — when they play Lyon in a French Top 14 away fixture. 

This new role for Urios comes just two days after Clermont unceremoniously dumped the 45-year-old Gibbes after less than two years in the job with the club in 10th position in the Top 14 standings, with just one win in their last five games in all competitions.

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It wasn’t so long ago, that Urios went through a similar situation, having been sacked himself by Bordeaux just two months ago due to a wretched start to the season by the team he had previously inspired to semi-final berths in the two previous Top 14 seasons.

Union was also the man at the helm when Castres dominated the league and ultimately won the Bouclier de Brennus title.

Urios is said to have signed a four-year contract with Clermont.

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CLERMONT BIG BOSS BACKS URIOS:

“After fruitful internal and external discussions over the recent days, we have unanimously agreed the arrival of Christophe Urios at Clermont is the right choice,” club president Jean-Michel Guillon said in a statement.

“His vision for the gameplan and the club correspond totally to what we’re expecting,” he added.

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