18 Jun 2015

Gear back to France

12:46 pm on 18 June 2015

The former All Blacks wing Hosea Gear will return to French rugby later this year for the Top 14 side Clermont.

Former All Black Hosea Gear

Former All Black Hosea Gear Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Gear spent a season with Toulouse after joining as a medical joker, but returned to New Zealand to try to make the World Cup squad.

However the 31-year-old wasn't able to command a regular spot with the Chiefs and has therefore signed a deal through to 2017 with Clermont.

The Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo signed a pre-contract with Clermont, but since then New Zealand Rugby has been putting pressure on the club to release him so that he can remain in New Zealand.

Clermont's statement indicates that he could yet be on his way to France, as they await his definitive commitment.