Bayonne snaffle Aussie league player

French Top 14 club Bayonne have pulled off quite a coup, by signing Australian international rugby league scrum-half Craig Gower from Penrith Panthers.

Gower even managed to secure an early release from his Penrityh contract in order to switch codes, although he will play out the rest of the season, until September, with the Panthers.

He will get a break before Bayonne play though – the French season does not start until November this year because of the Rugby World Cup.

Gower is eligible to play for Italy through lineage, although he is not thought to be likely to get a place in Pierre Berbizier’s squad for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

“We have reluctantly agreed in principle to Craig’s request because we believe that under the circumstances it is in his best interests to have a change,” Penrith general manager Michael Leary said in a statement on Tuesday.

Gower played 14 rugby league tests for Australia and captained the Kangaroos against France in 2005.