![Kolbe the latest to consider his future](https://cdn.magzter.com/1351005036/1681626330/articles/KyA4un9Ye1682746428748/KOLBE-THE-LATEST-TO-CONSIDER-HIS-FUTURE.jpg)
Toulouse and La Rochelle – with dual Champions Cup and Top 14 challenges very much in mind – came into the weekend with a little breathing space at the top of the table. Beneath them, no fewer than eight sides had – admittedly decreasingly realistic – hopes of finishing in the top six. And while Brive’s survival chances appear increasingly slim, another four sides hit the final five-match straight very much in the grip of the relegation play-off singularity.
Players, as well as clubs have their futures in mind. Cheslin Kolbe is the big name on the market in France. He is contracted to Toulon until 2024, but reports have resurfaced this week that he is ready to activate a clause in his contract to leave for a lucrative stint in Japan. He’s denied them once, and publicly insisted he will see out his deal. But L’Equipe insisted a deal was on the table and was being seriously considered.
Toulon, meanwhile, appear set to offer Mathieu Bastareaud a new one-year deal, following his comeback from injury – and Lyon – at the start of this season. More experience is set to stay, with Raphaël Lakafia likely to be offered an extended contract. Sergio Parisse, meanwhile, seems certain to move into a role on the coaching staff. But hyperactive back three player Gervais Cordin appears surplus to requirements.
Toulon overcame a slow start at home to 13th-placed Perpignan on Saturday afternoon to pick up a 3715 bonus-point win to consolidate their position in the top six.
George Tilsley and Patricio Fernandez are among those out of contract at Perpignan at the end of the season. Other players, too, may leave if they fail to stay up. As it stands the Catalans are in the relegation play-off place.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 16, 2023 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 16, 2023 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![England show who's No.1](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1832805/edY3UVRMs1726389148918/ENGLAND-SHOW-WHOS-NO1.jpg)
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
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Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
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Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
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Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
![Time for Borthwick to prove his worth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1832805/N-VkGX42-1726388214429/TIME-FOR-BORTHWICK-TO-PROVE-HIS-WORTH.jpg)
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
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Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
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Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
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Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
![Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1832805/UcrBG2JLb1726387777596/BOOTH-TOUGH-TELLING-PLAYERS-I-WAS-LEAVING.jpg)
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
![Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1832805/-KByRYwJJ1726387632701/STEPHENS-DEBUT-TRY-SEES-OFF-OLD-RIVALS.jpg)
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.