 Chris Wyatt wants to continue playing in France |
Ex-Wales second row Chris Wyatt hopes for one more season in top-flight rugby before pursuing a coaching career. The 33-year-old has left French Top 14 club Bourgoin amid protests by fans over the player's departure. "I played in our final game of the season, against Brive last weekend, and 40 fans turned up with Welsh flags to bid me farewell," said Wyatt. "They're unhappy I'm leaving. I went in to sign a contract for next season but was told there is no money to pay me." Wyatt says there is interest in his services for next season from clubs in France and Italy, but that he will delay his decision until early July. "My preference would be to return to France to play next season," said Wyatt. "I'd hoped that would be with Bourgoin. The fans have been fantastic to me and wanted me to stay. "I was given presents and some red wine - which is a pity because I don't drink it. Leaving the club is just one of those things.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I'm going home to Wales for a week or so to think about things before I settle on what I'd do next season." Beyond that Wyatt, who starred in the second row when Graham Henry's Wales team won 10 successive games in 1999, is already planning a career in coaching. "I've done the WRU Level Two coaching course and am looking into doing the next stage. I've already had some offers to coach," he added. Wyatt has played for Neath, Llanelli, Munster and Garryowen and believes his wealth of experience will be an asset to his coaching ambitions. "Ultimately I want to work up to as high a coaching level as possible," said Wyatt. "I feel I've collected a lot of knowledge over the years and like to feel I'm able to pass that on in a productive way. "I love the game and it's going to be very hard to take when I'm no longer playing and I'd love to put my energies back into the game.  Chris Wyatt and Ben Evans celebrate beating England at Wembley in 1999 |
"I've done Level Two and want to do a Level Three coaching course. I have coached at Thomond in Ireland and have been offered the opportunity to coach at a professional level this season. "But I still have the ambition to play and wouldn't be able to give my full attention to the coaching role without putting my own frustrations into it and thinking I could do better." He cites 2008 Heineken Cup winners Munster as the most hard-working team he has played for and would want the same attitude from any team he might coach. Wyatt said: "Ultimately I put the secret of Munster's success down to hard work and heart. "They probably work harder than any other team I've played for or seen in training and their mentality is unquestionable. "Whatever is put in front of them, they'll do and they'll do it to the utmost of their ability. "And when you've got every member of your squad, not just the 15 on the field being able to do that, with the same mentality and passion for it, you've got a very hard side to beat." Wyatt's advice to players might include some thoughts on how not to go about things, freely admitting he has regrets about some aspects of his own career. | I probably had to learn a harder way than most players |
"I've got plenty of regrets. They say you live and learn in a lot of ways, and me? I probably had to learn a harder way than most players," he said. "But I've loved every moment of my career and there's a lot I could say I could change, but would it affect other outcomes? "I want to continue as long as I can, enjoy my rugby and when I look back I want to be able to say yes, I have some regrets, but I achieved a lot along the way as well." The fact that Wyatt has survived a full season of full-throttle French club rugby ranks among those achievements. Bourgoin finished 10th in the Top 14 after bowing out of the Heineken Cup at the pool stage in which they were twice beaten by the Ospreys.
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?