France captain Gaëlle Mignot has agreed to join Richmond and is expected to be available for the club’s Tyrrells Premier 15s match against Gloucester-Hartpury this weekend.
Mignot, 30, has been captain of Les Bleues since 2014 and has won two Women’s Six Nations titles including a Grand Slam in her first year as skipper.
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She has also won five French titles with Montpellier and a European title, as well as appearing in three Rugby World Cups.
Mignot said: “I am thrilled to join a club with such a rich history as Richmond. I am equally proud to be participating in the new era of women’s rugby with the launch of the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
“I am coming here to help the team achieve their highest ambitions.”
Mignot’s arrival comes shortly after the launch of the Premier 15s, a new league format backed by the Rugby Football Union, with Richmond recording two wins in their opening games.
Richmond beat Bristol 31-24 and then saw off Darlington Mowden Park 27-10 and are joint top of the league with ten points from a possible ten.
The French skipper will also be providing coaching sessions for Surrey Rugby with Richmond Women’s Director of Rugby David Mobbs-Smith delighted with the signing.
He added: “We are thrilled to attract someone of Gaëlle’s quality and vast international experience to Richmond.
“We are excited that she will bring some real dynamism to the front row and showcase her leadership skills within the squad.
“The Tyrrells Premier 15s is a really competitive league, and getting someone with Gaëlle’s competitive instincts can only help us in the tough season ahead.”
