Super Rugby
Nic White, Sekope Kepu sign French deals
ESPN Staff
January 20, 2015
Nic White is set to leave Brumbies at the end of the season © Getty Images
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Wallabies Nic White and Sekope Kepu will both play in France following this year's World Cup after signing two and three-year deals with Montpellier and Bordeaux-Begles, respectively.

White will join former Brumbies coach Jake White and Brumbies and Wallabies captain Ben Mowen at Montpellier. Jake White was Brumbies coach in 2012-13, while Mowen left Australian rugby last year despite being Wallabies captain at the time.

New Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones revealed the news, saying the Canberra-based franchise couldn't compete with the money White was offered but also said he didn't expect a mass exodus from the club in the wake of the World Cup and that succession planning was already in place to replace 24-year-old White.

"We're disappinted because Nic is a critical member of the squad," Jones said. "But the good thing is that he's such a tenacious competitive bastard that it won't affect his season and he'll want to go out in style."

"He will still want to be a big part of the Wallabies in a World Cup year as well... he's proud and that won't change. We're not expecting a massive exodus. Nic was just one with timing... I don't think we could match what he was offered.

"We're already getting a plan together for next year for who we need to target to plug the gap and look at it as an opportunity."

Kepu, meanwhile, will play alongside Waratahs teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper at Bordeaux-Begles with the 104-Test veteran the first high-profile Wallabies player to sign off on a French deal late last year. Other moves will see former captain James Horwill link with Harlequins while back-rower Scott Higginbotham has opted for a switch to Japan.

The likes of Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Kane Douglas and Digby Ioane are already plying their trade in Europe.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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