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Irishman in temporary charge at Toulon following Collazo sacking

27 Oct 2021

(Photo by Getty Images)

Toulon have called time on the reign of head coach Patrice Collazo following Sunday night’s Top 14 hammering at La Rochelle which left the three-time European champions drifting in 13th place, 19 points behind leaders Toulouse after just eight rounds of matches.

In charge since 2018, Collazo’s side have been very weak on their travels this term, losing 41-10 at Toulouse, 12-9 at Perpignan 27-16 at Castres and 39-6 at La Rochelle, that latest away defeat coming on the back of a home defeat to Racing.

It has left the club in the relegation playoff spot in the Top 14 and rather than allow the situation to potentially worsen under Collazo ahead of Saturday’s huge game at home to fellow strugglers Biarritz, Toulon decided they needed to take drastic action quickly.

An All Black, a France squad and a disappearing act

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An All Black, a France squad and a disappearing act

Benji and Johnnie are back to dissect Fabien Galthie’s France squad for the autumn internationals and give their view on who will make the first choice XV and who will captain the side in Charles Ollivon’s absence. Plus, we’re joined by former All Black Francis Saili to fill us in on everything going on in Biarritz from whether the club is moving to Lille to naked plane rides and six-figure sums spent on yachts in Ibiza amid their celebrations at the end of last season! Oh and we end the show a man down in mysterious circumstances…

A statement from the club read: “Rugby Club Toulon and Patrice Collazo have decided, by mutual agreement, to end their collaboration. The preparation for the Toulon-Biarritz match is now entrusted to the Toulon staff led by James Coughlan. Bernard Lemaitre will hold a press conference this Friday at the RCT Campus.”

The soon-to-be 41-year-old Coughlan only joined Toulon as an assistant in the off-season having previously coached at Brive, Provence and Pau. He is a former Munster teammate of Ronan O’Gara, the current La Rochelle boss.

🗞️Le @RCTofficiel et 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗼 ont décidé, d'un commun accord, de mettre un terme à leur collaboration.
Plus d'infos 👉 https://t.co/GMS0XOZBQt pic.twitter.com/w578XXki7h
— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) October 26, 2021

There is speculation that the Irishman and fellow assistant Julien Dupuy could be left to steer the team for the next two games before a replacement for Collazo is recruited for the November 27 resumption of the league following a three-week break after the November 7 trip to Clermont.

Two names immediately linked to the vacancy were Franck Azema, the recent ex-Clermont boss, and Xavier Garbajosa, who has been on the market since exiting Montpellier last January. Another possible candidate is Lyon boss Pierre Mignoni, who was Bernard Laporte’s assistant during the Toulon glory years of three European Cup and one Top 14 title. His stumbling block is a contract tying him to Lyon until 2023.

"I can have a terrible day at training, but I’m able to cut it and go, 'No, that is enough for the day'"
– Ihaia West on…
Emerging at Hawke's Bay 🦅
Slaying Lions 🦁
Leaving New Zealand ✈️
Life at @staderochelais ⚓with O'Gara
– writes @heagneyl 👨‍💻
https://t.co/VzrvhM2dpN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 24, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 10 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 10 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 10 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 10 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 10 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 10 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍