Top 14
Genia to leave Queensland Reds for Stade Francais
ESPN Staff
April 3, 2015
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Will Genia has signed a three-year contract to join Top 14 club Stade Francais after the Rugby World Cup.

"We can confirm that Will Genia will be part of our squad after the World Cup," Stade Francais president Thomas Savare said on radio France Bleu 107.1. "It's a great signing and one which will strengthen our squad in a vital position."

Will Genia is off to France © Getty Images
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Genia had been linked with a move to Europe for months, but Bath were firm favourites to sign the Queensland Reds and Wallabies scrum-half, who even signed a pre-contract with the Aviva Premiership side. "There had been discussions," Savare said. "We had to talk to Bath and found a solution that makes everyone happy."

Genia has played for the Reds throughout his eight-year professional career, winning the Super Rugby title with the side in 2011. He has been troubled by injury in recent seasons, and Nick Phipps and Nic White have been preferred in the half-back role for the Wallabies over the past year.

Genia will also face fierce rivalry for a starting position at Stade Francais, currently sitting on third in the Top 14, with Julien Dupuy and Julien Tomas already in the roster while Jerome Fillol, 37, is likely to retire at the end of the season.

"It will spark some competition, and that's always good," Savare said.

© AAP

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