Wallaby Mitchell heading to France

AFP
Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell (R) is pictured during a team training session in London on November 16, 2012

SYDNEY (AFP) –

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell (R) is pictured during a team training session in London on November 16, 2012. He has opted not to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union and is reportedly set to join former Test centre Matt Giteau at French club Toulon.

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell has opted not to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union and is reportedly set to join former Test centre Matt Giteau at French club Toulon.

The ARU said the 63-Test veteran would leave Australia at the end of the season, with Fairfax newspapers citing the NSW Waratahs try-scorer as saying he was heading to France.

“First and foremost, playing for Australia means absolutely everything to me,” he said, but he added that he wanted a new challenge in France.

“It’s a challenge thing, what I want out of footy and life.”

The ARU said he would still be considered for the Lions Tour in June and July and the Rugby Championship later in the year.

Mitchell has been linked with an overseas move for some months and reports said there was a NSW Waratahs/ARU offer on the table but it did not match what was tabled by Toulon.

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