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Toulon have finally emerged from the revolving-door-in-the-coach’s-office madness of the immediate post-Bernard Laporte era. The club is in stable situation, and looking to a new, very different, but no less intimidating future.
Key signing
Thomas Jolmes. La Rochelle’s wantaway international-standard lock finally got his wish at the end of a season in which he had made just two starts, and was effectively absent for most of the season. He teams up again with former boss Patrice Collazo, who is entering his third season at Toulon.
Key departure
Julian Savea. If he’s being honest, or even just feeling blunt, Savea is probably not too disappointed to have returned to New Zealand and the Hurricanes – it’s to his immense credit that he stuck it out at Toulon and worked his way into Collazo’s thinking at all after a dismal start.
They say
“It’s great to work with so much stability in the group. To have only three recruits is a luxury. You don’t have to rethink the group dynamics when a third of the workforce has to soak up the game plan.” (Club president Bernard LeMaitre, Rugbyrama)
We say
Stability is not a word that has been easily linked with Toulon in recent years. But those years are done. Mourad Boudjellal – the comic-book baddie of the Top 14 – has gone, replaced by the more measured Bernard LeMaitre, who has wasted no time laying down his mark.
Toulon contract extensions
He must be doing something right. Shortly after pre-season started in earnest, Toulon announced head coach Collazo and recently arrived new-model Galatico signing Eben Etzebeth had both signed long contract extensions. The coach is at Mayol until at least 2025, and the Springbok World Cup winner is staying until the end of the 2023/24 season, after the World Cup.
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While Collazo’s first season in charge was something of a nightmare – there was, for a while, talk of relegation – his second was a big improvement. When the campaign shuddered to an early halt, Toulon were solidly fourth in the French championship, and into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a perfect six-from-six in the pool stage.
Accent on youth
One of LeMaitre’s preconditions for investing in the club was developing a new training centre at Berg and a stronger focus on harnessing and developing homegrown talent. This is, too, where big name signings such as Etzebeth come in. Part of his role is to support and help academy players at the centre.
The centre is now open for business. And Toulon are back.
Just look at their signings this season. Despite Etzebeth, they’re no longer big importers of rugby stars – though there are several still on the books.
TOP14: @jamesonrugby on Racing 92
Key signing ??
Key departure ?
They say ??
We say ?https://t.co/9SNzM66BHQ— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 4, 2020
This iteration of Toulon places greater emphasis on youth development (there’s a reason the signing of Harrison Obatoyinbo, from Ealing, hit the headlines) so expect to see more Anthony Belleaus and Louis Carbonels, Yoann Cottins – away on loan this season – and William Beaudons down the line.
More immediately, Toulon are contenders again, Larry.
Arrivals
Jeremy Boyadjis; Thomas Jolmes; Isaia Toeava
Departures
Marcel van der Merwe; Mamuka Gorgodze; Corentin Vernet; Liam Messam; Stephane Onambele; Yoan Cottin (loan); Mathieu Smaili; Julian Savea; Hugo Bonneval
Comments on RugbyPass
Jordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
38 Go to comments