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.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.