Johan Goosen's retirement is still causing shock waves in world rugby.
The 24-year-old fly-half announced on Friday that he was to retire from the game with immediate effect. Goosen, who played with Racing 92, dropped the bombshell hours before the Parisians were due to play Glasgow Warriors, at home.
Speaking to BT Sport ahead of the game, coach Ronan O'Gara could not understand the timing of the decision, but hinted at the fact that Goosen would be welcomed back into the team.
"I found out on Twitter, looking at it earlier and I'm part of the management team. Obviously there's been a bit of unrest for the last few weeks, but that news shocked everyone"
"He was part of a fantastic team that succeeded in getting to [the Champions Cup] final and winning [the Top 14] final last year. When he's in the right frame of mind, we need him."
"I only found out on Twitter!" @racing92's Ronan O'Gara on the sudden retirement of Johan Goosen. #ChampionsCup https://t.co/fJkqlc5kOc
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) December 16, 2016
O'Gara's final sentence hints at issues with Goosen's psyche in recent weeks. Reports from France state that, although the South African claims he is to return home to become a commercial director, he may be trying to move clubs.
French-based journalist Gavin Mortimer has written that Goosen's retirement may make it easier for him to join Montpellier, without the Top 14 club having to pay their rivals €1 million.
Without Goosen, Racing lost Friday night's match 23-14 in Paris.
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