News

Bourgoin's coffers run dry for Wyatt

June 20 2008

Chris Wyatt has revealed he had no choice but to leave French Top 14 club Bourgoin as they had no money to pay him for another season.

Wyatt, who won 38 caps with Wales, said he wanted to stay with Bourgoin but didn't have a choice - despite protests from local fans.

"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," Wyatt told BBC Sport Wales.

"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."

There is still plenty of interest in the 33-year-old from various clubs in France and Italy, but he said he will delay making a decision on his future 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.

"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."

His playing future aside, Wyatt has already planned his career after he retires, and is looking into various coaching possibilities.

"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," said Wyatt.

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.

"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."

Wyatt, who has a wealth of experience, claims Munster were the most hard-working team he has been involved in during his career, and he would want the same attitude from any side he coached.

"Ultimately I put the secret of Munster's success down to hard work and heart," he said.

"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'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.