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Hugo Southwell leaves Edinburgh for Stade Francais on two-year deal

Hugo Southwell will leave Edinburgh to join French rugby side Stade Francais this summer.

29 April 2009 12:09 GMT

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Hugo Southwell leaves Edinburgh for Stade Francais on two-year deal

Hugo Southwell will leave Edinburgh to join French rugby side Stade Francais this summer.

The 28-year-old full-back has signed a two-year deal with the 2007 French champions after six years with Edinburgh in the Magners League.

Southwell is the latest Scot to be lured by the sunshine, strong Euro and higher pay-packets of the French Top14 league. He joins fellow Scotland star Simon Taylor at the club while Sean Lamont is on his way to Toulon.

"Stade Francais are one of Europe's best teams," said Southwell on Stade's official website. “It is a great experience and a great opportunity for me to come to Paris. I am going to discover a new style of play.

“It is a great challenge in front of me. I have spoken about it with Simon Taylor during the Six Nations and he only said good things about the club to me."

Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson thanked Southwell for his time at the club but said his departure will allow new blood to come through.

Robinson said: “The move to Stade Francais is a great opportunity for him and the management team would like to wish him well.
 
“But Hugo’s departure will now give Jim Thompson to chance to challenge with Chris Paterson for the full-back position.”
 

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