The Breakdown | From Aaron Cruden to Ma'a Nonu: are big-money rugby signings worth it?

High-profile signings in France and beyond have been driven by owners rather than coaches, but Covid-19 may change that“We hoped for something else.” The words spoken by the Montpellier owner, Mohed Altrad, after he had released the New Zealand fly-half Aaron Cruden eight months early would be a fitting title for a book on the big-name signings made by clubs in France and England over the years.Cruden, who joined Super Rugby’s Chiefs this year, was reportedly paid an annual £700,000 by Montpellier, whose ambitions are funded by Altrad rather than the income generated by a club that have one of…