Gibbes in French connection

ACCORDING to a report in France, departing Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes is due to meet La Rochelle today, with a view to taking over next season.

Ulster face their biggest game of the season on Sunday when they host Ospreys in the Champions Cup qualifier, and this news would come as a blow to their preparations.

The province confirmed in March that Gibbes will leave following Sunday’s game and the Kiwi had cited “family reasons” for wanting to break his contract early and head back to New Zealand. Big-money spending La Rochelle are on the hunt for a new boss to replace Patrice Collazo.