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Eddie O'Sullivan pictured at his unveiling as Biarritz coach on 20 May. ©INPHO
soft landing

Eddie O'Sullivan's Biarritz given €400k dig-out by local authorities in France

Nick de Lucas and Iain Balshaws don’t grow on trees.

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN’S BIARRITZ have been given a second cash injection in a month by local authorities to help them avoid a further drop next season.

Five-time league champions and two-time European Cup runners-up Biarritz were relegated from the Top 14 last season, ending an 18-year stay in the elite division.

Local authorities in south western France have agreed to give them €400,000 in addition to €300,000 already awarded last May.

The National Directorate of Management Control (DNACG) have been given the task of overseeing Biarritz’s finances. The cash is conditional on transparency in the club’s finances and city officials being allowed to view the clubs finances in the future.

Biarritz, who were founded in 1913 and have legendary international full-back Serge Blanco as president, will be coached next season by former Ireland coach O’Sullivan.

French scrum-half Dimitri Yachvilli is off the pay-bill next season after retiring while high profile players sych as Damien Traille, Josh Furno and Teddy Thomas are moving on. Nick de Luca (Edinburgh) and Philip van der Walt (Cheetahs) are among the six new players already signed up as Biarritz seek to bounce back immediately.

– Additional reporting by Patrick McCarry

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