Report: Louis Picamoles to join Bordeaux Begles

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10:41pm, 01 February 2021

Veteran French No.8 Louis Picamoles will leave Montpellier at the end of the season to link up with high-flying Bordeaux Begles, it is being widely reported in France.

According to French media, Picamoles understood that Montpellier were not particularly eager to keep on the back row at the end of the season, leaving the 34-year-old searching for a new challenge in the autumn of his career.

Bordeaux are set to lose back rows Marco Tauleigne and Beka Gorgodze, and head coach Christophe Urios was looking for a high-quality replacement, and Picamoles is certainly that.

Picamoles made 82 Test appearances in an on-off relationship with various French head coaches over the span of 11 years between 2008 and 2019. The 6’4, 116kg Parisian started his professional career in the MHR academy before becoming a talisman for the Toulouse packs of the early to mid-noughties.

He signed for Northampton Saints in 2016, and despite performing well for the English side, was bought out of his contract by Montpellier in 2017, and he departed mid-season.

His signing also effectively ends the link between Bordeaux and Munster No.8 CJ Stander. Stander had been linked to the Top 14 outfit, but were said to have gone cold on the Munsterman who – according to the French press – wanted too much money.

The Ireland stalwart is currently negotiating his contract with the IRFU.

Louis V. Italiano, Sr., Austintown, Ohio

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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Louis V. Italiano, Sr., 88, of Austintown, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, January 24, 2021 with his loving family by his side.

Lou will always be remembered and loved by his family and friends for his outgoing personality, his hard work ethic and strength along with his smile.

He was born on September 29, 1932 in Youngstown, the son of Vincent James and Mary (Palone) Italiano and was a lifelong area resident.

Lou was a 1950 graduate of Wilson High School and excelled in football where he was a four-year letterman.

Upon graduation, Lou heard the call of his country and enlisted on February 13, 1951 in the United States Marine Corps “Semper Fidelis” where he proudly served in Korea during the Korean War. Lou earned the rank of Sergeant with the weapons company and received an Honorable Discharge on February 12, 1954.

Upon returning home, Lou served as a bricklayer apprentice and graduated in 1957. Lou then began a lifelong career as a master bricklayer as owner and operator of Italiano Masonry Construction until his retirement.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish – St. James Catholic Church, North Jackson

He was a member of the Bricklayers Local #8, Youngstown and the Italian American War Veterans.

Lou had many passions throughout his life. He enjoyed the outdoors especially when he was hunting, fishing and taking care of his farm in North Jackson. Lou also loved spending time and traveling with his family and attending casinos to play a game of chance.

Lou leaves behind his beloved wife of over 66 years, the former Norma Reardon whom he married on April 25, 1954; his eight children, Louis V., Jr., (Denise) Italiano of Austintown, Joanie (Mace) Italiano of Struthers, John (Carolyn) Italiano of Canfield, Jean (Ken) Kimble of Miamisburg, Tom (Barb) Italiano of Youngstown, Patricia (Todd) Pedulla of Boardman, Jim (Lori) Italiano of Austintown and Michael (Natalie) Italiano of Memphis, Tennessee; 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his brother, John (Joanne) Italiano of Indio, California along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph Charles Italiano and a brother, Harry Italiano.

Lou’s family wishes to express appreciation to all that are offering condolences at this time but have elected to have private services due to the Coronavirus to be held at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home with the Very Rev. Gregory Fedor, V.F. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

On behalf of Lou’s family they would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Home Instead, First Light Home Care and Harbor Light Hospice for all the care and compassion shown to them and Lou throughout this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, material contributions may be made in Louis’ name to Harbor Light Hospice, 4531 Belmont Avenue, Unit 9, Youngstown, OH 44505 or Second Harvest Food Bank, 2805 Salt Springs Road, Youngstown, OH 44509.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to sign the guest book and send condolences to the Italiano family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louis V. Italiano Sr., please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Tuesday, February 2 at the following approximate times: 6:43 a.m. WYTV, 9:32 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV.

PHOTOS: Saint Louis Zoo to help save critically endangered species

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ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The American red wolf is staring down extinction, with only about 20 left in the wild – but the species has an important new ally in the Saint Louis Zoo.

Responding to an urgent call to keep this species from going extinct, the Zoo is transforming part of its land in Franklin County, Mo., into a conservation habitat where 24 American red wolves will live and breed in a private, protected natural setting.

The Zoo is developing approximately 20 acres of its 355-acre property in Franklin County, known as the Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve, with separately secured habitats for 12 mating pairs of wolves in 2021. The wolves will come from other conservation organizations in 2022. The campus will not be open to visitors, as the Zoo wants the wolves to learn natural survival skills without much human interaction in the secured facility.

Photo credit (Saint Louis Zoo)

The Zoo is collaborating on this critical conservation project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which is responsible for managing the wild American red wolf population and reintroduction efforts in the eastern U.S., as well as with the Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2), a science-based global initiative taking collective action to save animals from extinction.

“American red wolves are key species,” said Jeffrey Bonner, Ph.D., Dana Brown President and CEO, Saint Louis Zoo. “Once populations are restored, they should create a balanced natural environment, fulfilling their predator-related roles to maintain stability within the ecosystem.”

Photo credit (Saint Louis Zoo)

The St. Louis region has a rich history in wolf conservation lead by the Endangered Wolf Center located in Eureka, Mo. After retiring as director of the Saint Louis Zoo in 1970, Marlin Perkins and his wife Carol turned their attention toward wolf conservation. In 1971, they joined with a group of individuals to found the Endangered Wolf Center in an effort to address the serious plight of wolves at risk of extinction. Today, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited Endangered Wolf Center is a global leader in preserving and protecting several endangered wild canid species, including the American red wolf.

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