In the summer of 2016, Brock James joined La Rochelle after a decade at Top 14 rivals Clermont. The following April, I spoke to him about his new club’s remarkable season, the future, why he left Australia – and how he nearly played for France
In 2006, after just 13 Super Rugby appearances for two clubs in two seasons, Brock James left Australia for a new life in the French Top 14.
Two clubs, 11 years, 314 matches, and 2,705 points later, he is on the verge of completing a remarkable debut season with La Rochelle, the side he joined at the end of last season following a decade with Clermont.
“I was actually looking for a bit of security in my old age,” he said of his summer switch from the perennial Top 14 high flyers to a side that has languished in the lower reaches of the French top flight since winning promotion in 2014.
James Harrington: Freelance sports journalist 