18 May 2022

Former All Black hooker signs with French club Lyon

4:28 pm on 18 May 2022

The Highlanders and former All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman is to join French top 14 club Lyon on a two year deal at the end of the Super Rugby competition.

Coltman has played eight tests for the All Blacks has been with the Highlanders for 12 years.

Liam Coltman of the Highlanders in action, during the Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Jaguares

Liam Coltman has signed with Lyon on a two year deal. Photo: Photosport

He made his debut for Otago in 2010 having moved to Dunedin from New Plymouth for university and went on to play 73 games for the province.

Coltman's test debut came in 2016 and played the last final of his eight matches in 2019.

He will finish his career as the Highlander's most capped forward and the franchise's third most capped player behind Aaron Smith, and Ben Smith.

"I will always think of Dunedin as my rugby home. I never thought of the hard work I do as being a sacrifice in anyway, it's what I chose to do and what I love doing. I never thought I would have all the wonderful opportunities in life that my rugby career has given me, and I am just so grateful to have had them," he said.

-RNZ