• The coach of Rugby Club Toulonnais (RCT), Patrice Collazo, and his club have decided to end their collaboration "by mutual agreement".

  • This decision comes after a complicated start to the season for the RCT, the Toulonnais are second to last in the Top 14.

  • Frank Azema, the former Clermont coach (2014-2021), is tipped to replace Patrice Collazo.

A laconic statement to end a collaboration of more than three seasons Patrice Collazo is no longer the coach of Rugby Club Toulonnais "by mutual agreement" with its president, Bernard Lemaitre, since Wednesday.

Astonishing when we know that the one who succeeded Mourad Boudjellal still defended his coach at the beginning of the month, in the columns of

L'Equipe

.

We take stock with Yann Delaigue, former opener of the XV of France and the RCT on the issues surrounding the club.

Too much pressure on Collazo?

Collazo has long been able to count on the support of its president. “This may not be where the vox populi would like to lead me that the problem lies. If a general has bad troops, he is not going to win the war, ”Lemaitre argued, faced with the scolding of supporters, after a bad start to the season. Preferring in passing to charge his players rather than his staff, whose “enormous” and “serious” professionalism he praised. A burst of beneficial pride since the Toulonnais had won their match against Brive (13-9) the next day. But too stealthy. The RCT fell in stride against Racing. Before the slap against received against La Rochelle (39-6), last Sunday, which will finally seal the departure of Collazo.

“I'm still surprised.

Because a few days before, the president had had reassuring words about Collazo's function.

But at the same time, no.

Because Toulon has a series of poor performances and tumbles in the standings.

Collazo is coming out of long weeks of pressure, ”

former RCT player Yann Delaigue

explained to

20 Minutes

.

External pressure from supporters, but also internal according to some rumors.

“The tensions with the supporters are clear, although I think the president is ignoring it.

Afterwards, when it comes to internal conflicts, it's always difficult when you don't experience it from the inside.

But from what I could read, the coach was losing his locker room, "says the former international opening half.

Insufficient staff?

It is always easier to replace a coach than to change half of his squad.

That of the RCT is provided, but Collazo has not been able to rely on it since the start of the season.

“Toulon has a squad of 40 players, with ten superstars, ten very good players and 20 good club players.

In the first category, Collazo had to deal with the absence of eight or nine elements.

In the second, about five.

So it is difficult when the best players of the club are in selection or absent… Afterwards, the workforce remains rich in spite of everything to win against Perpignan ”, underlines Yann Delaigue.

What the Toulonnais did not do at the end of September (12-9 defeat).

Who will replace him ?

The real reasons for this eviction have not yet been detailed by Bernard Lemaitre, the president is due to hold a press conference on Friday morning.

But rather than dwell on the past, there is a good chance that he is looking forward by announcing the successor to Patrice Collazo.

James Coughlan, the defense and forwards coach, is currently preparing for the match against Biarritz.

Franck Azema, Clermont coach from 2014 until last season, seems to hold pole position to succeed Collazo.

“The file seems to be moving fast.

Azema has proven its worth with Clermont who has long played the leading roles, in the consistency of results and in the beautiful game offered.

He was able to build a group and stayed ten years in the same club, ”Yann Delaigue says.

A profile that corresponds to the desire of the president of the RCT to build over time, with the construction of a new campus.

But for this, the first team must first garner results, while the Toulonnais are at a very sad penultimate place in the Top 14.

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