KING OF THE CHATEAU
Alex King’s left boot kicked Wasps to three consecutive Guinness Premierships and two Heineken cups – the last one being the magnificent 25-9 victory over Leicester in May, when he scored 15 points. But the 32-year-old former England fly-half, who swapped London for Clermont-Ferrand in the summer, is hoping he can repeat the feat at the expense of his old team.
After the dust had settled on the Twickenham final King announced that he would be moving to Clermont Auvergne, where he was offered a one-year rolling contract. After 11 years at Wasps he thought it was right to leave on a high.
Though his new team have never reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup, they have started well this campaign, and managed to thump Llanelli Scarlets 42-21 on Sunday, in the competition’s ‘group of death’.
Aside from the Scarlets, King’s team have to play his former side Wasps in December, and winners of two years ago: Munster.
He said: "It was a good result and a great performance by the boys against the Scarlets. It's handy to get a win early on in this very difficult group.
“Wasps are number one seeds and they have been drawn with the second best team in France last year – Clermont - the 2006 champions and Llanelli Scarlets, who are always there or thereabouts in the knockout stages.
“It’s a tough group, but whoever qualifies will be confident of winning the tournament.”
King is enjoying his time at the club, and thinks that the multicultural make-up of the side will reap rewards come the end of the season.
“We are really well managed by coach Vern Cotter,” he continued. “In the three months that I have been here I have seen the impressive team ethos and work culture.
“There is a fantastic blend of rugby cultures from all over the world. We have two Georgians (Goderzi Schvelidze and Davit Zirakashvili – both props) who are brilliant characters; two Argentineans in Martin Scelzo and Mario Ledesma who are fantastic in the front row.
“There are three Fijians and three South Africans. World cup winner John Smit is a really top man. He is going to bring a huge amount to the team.”
King added: “Then you have the staple French guys, the likes of Pierre Vigouroux, Aurélien Rougerie and Julien Bonnaire who hit the highs with France at the World Cup. It is a really good mix and the ambition there from everyone is easy to see.
“We are a very ambitious club, and we want to do something special this year. It is great for me to join a club in France with that kind of ambition.
“To go on a Heineken Cup journey with another team is something that really excites me. It would be a nice Christmas present to beat Wasps, but I’m sure they are thinking the same thing.”
Alex King’s left boot kicked Wasps to three consecutive Guinness Premierships and two Heineken cups – the last one being the magnificent 25-9 victory over Leicester in May, when he scored 15 points. But the 32-year-old former England fly-half, who swapped London for Clermont-Ferrand in the summer, is hoping he can repeat the feat at the expense of his old team.
After the dust had settled on the Twickenham final King announced that he would be moving to Clermont Auvergne, where he was offered a one-year rolling contract. After 11 years at Wasps he thought it was right to leave on a high.
Though his new team have never reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup, they have started well this campaign, and managed to thump Llanelli Scarlets 42-21 on Sunday, in the competition’s ‘group of death’.
Aside from the Scarlets, King’s team have to play his former side Wasps in December, and winners of two years ago: Munster.
He said: "It was a good result and a great performance by the boys against the Scarlets. It's handy to get a win early on in this very difficult group.
“Wasps are number one seeds and they have been drawn with the second best team in France last year – Clermont - the 2006 champions and Llanelli Scarlets, who are always there or thereabouts in the knockout stages.
“It’s a tough group, but whoever qualifies will be confident of winning the tournament.”
King is enjoying his time at the club, and thinks that the multicultural make-up of the side will reap rewards come the end of the season.
“We are really well managed by coach Vern Cotter,” he continued. “In the three months that I have been here I have seen the impressive team ethos and work culture.
“There is a fantastic blend of rugby cultures from all over the world. We have two Georgians (Goderzi Schvelidze and Davit Zirakashvili – both props) who are brilliant characters; two Argentineans in Martin Scelzo and Mario Ledesma who are fantastic in the front row.
“There are three Fijians and three South Africans. World cup winner John Smit is a really top man. He is going to bring a huge amount to the team.”
King added: “Then you have the staple French guys, the likes of Pierre Vigouroux, Aurélien Rougerie and Julien Bonnaire who hit the highs with France at the World Cup. It is a really good mix and the ambition there from everyone is easy to see.
“We are a very ambitious club, and we want to do something special this year. It is great for me to join a club in France with that kind of ambition.
“To go on a Heineken Cup journey with another team is something that really excites me. It would be a nice Christmas present to beat Wasps, but I’m sure they are thinking the same thing.”
Labels: Alex King, Clermont Auvergne, Heineken Cup, Llanelli Scarlets, rugby union, Wasps
