Top 14: Patrice Collazo is no longer Toulon coach

The seamless defeat on Sunday night against La Rochelle (39-6) was too much for Toulon coach Patrice Collazzo.

On an ejection seat for several weeks, he is no longer the technician of the triple European champion.

the Var club announced it on Tuesday in a press release.

“RC Toulon and Patrice Collazo have decided, by mutual agreement, to put an end to their collaboration.

A week earlier, its president Bernard Lemaître had, however, announced in the newspaper Sud Ouest that his trainer was not in danger ...

🗞️Le @RCTofficiel and 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗼 have decided, by mutual agreement, to end their collaboration.

More info 👉 https://t.co/GMS0XOZBQt pic.twitter.com/w578XXki7h

- RCT - RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) October 26, 2021

After 8 days of Top 14, Toulon occupies only 13th place in the jump-off (2 wins, a draw and 5 defeats) with 2 units ahead of the red lantern Perpignan.

Patrice Collazo (47) has been the coach of the RCT since 2018. After finishing 8th in 2019, then 4th before the end of the championships due to the health crisis in 2020, Toulon finished 9th in the Top 14 in June 2021. L 'ex-pillar, 47, finally left the club with a balance sheet just in balance, all competitions: 46 wins, 42 losses and 3 draws.

The leaders undoubtedly wanted to cause a psychological shock when looming, this Saturday, a very important Toulon - Biarritz (12th one point from Toulonnais) at the bottom of the table at the Mayol stadium. For the reception of the Basques, Toulon indicated that James Coughlan, the Irish defense coach, will take over. According to sources familiar with the matter, Franck Azema, the former Clermont coach with whom he was champion of France in 2017, is a credible track to succeed Collazo. Other profiles are also being studied.

Azéma, 50, was still under contract for two years at ASM, but he preferred to close his chapter in Auvergne, eleven years long, started as assistant to Vern Cotter, continued as head coach from 2014.

He imagined bouncing back in Montpellier, but the track was unsuccessful.

It was also announced on the side of the new Fijian franchise, the Fidjian Drua, who joined Super Rugby this season.

Previously USAP coach (2006-2010), the consultant for Canal + has been working, since this summer, on an ad hoc basis with the Catalan Dragons (Rugby à XIII).