The Blue Bulls Company has granted  Blue Bulls loose forward Jono Ross an early release from his contract to allow the player the opportunity to join the French club, Stade Francais.

Ross will join the Paris-based club on December 1, 2014.

Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke admitted that it was a set-back losing a former captain and versatile loose forward, but pointed to the huge stock of talented players that will still be available to the BBCo in 2015.

“Jono provided leadership and played at six, seven and eight for us when our loose forward department was depleted due to injuries, but thanks to our junior structures, the return of injured players and some new signings we have a strong group for next year,” Ludeke said.

“We have seen the likes of Jacques du Plessis, Roelof Smit and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg breaking into the senior ranks despite being juniors, while Lappies Labuschagne also joined from the Cheetahs. With Springboks Pierre Spies and Arno Botha also returning to action and some proven players already on our books, we will have a very competitive group amongst our loose forwards,” Ludeke said.

“We want to thank Jono for his contributions and wish him well.”

Blue Bull supporters received the news of Ross’s departure with mixed feelings. Many of them considered him as a weak link in the team.

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