Team Brunel’s star full-back Harrison Obatoyinbo will be hoping to light-up France’s top tier next season after signing a professional contract with three-time Heineken Cup champions Toulon.
The pacey full-back scored nine tries in eleven matches for Team Brunel this season, and was expected to be lining up for the Greene King IPA Championship side Ealing Trailfinders next season after being recently promoted from the club’s Academy to first team.
Obatoyinbo will now be plying his trade on the other side of the Channel, however, after the French rugby giants, impressed by his recent performances, activated a release clause in his contract.
The player – who can play across the back three – joined Team Brunel last year as a member of the Trailfinders Rugby Academy, a sports scholarship programme run in partnership between Brunel University London and Ealing Trailfinders.
“The last twelve months with Ealing Trailfinders have been fantastic,” Obatoyinbo told the club’s website. “They have a great rugby infrastructure and a genuine, supportive community of staff and players who have made me feel welcome and wanted.
“Ealing Trailfinders is a great opportunity for young players with goals of being a professional. Thank you to everyone who has helped me to kick-start my career.”
Mark Burgess, Head of Sport at Brunel, said: “We wish Harrison all the best with Toulon and what an opportunity for him to take the next big step in his rugby career. The partnership between Brunel University London and Ealing Trailfinders aims to create the best environment in the country for talented rugby players to be able to pursue both their education and their rugby career. Hopefully Harrison’s move is the first of many examples we will have in the coming years of students making that step into professional rugby.”
For further information on the Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Scholarship Programme please visit: brunel.ac.uk/life/sport/student-sport/scholarships/rugby-scholarship
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