Cockerill quietly confident but urges caution ahead of French giants’ visit
TOULON may not currently pack the punch that made them feared around Europe but Richard Cockerill is still wary. The Edinburgh coach is well placed to offer a critique of tomorrow’s visitors to Murrayfield. He was assistant coach at the club in 2017 and then took over the main job when Mike Ford was sacked — leading them to the Top14 play-off final. His departure to Edinburgh has allowed him to witness the French giants from afar and he has been as intrigued as any at their demise. Under French coach Patrice Collazo, they have had a dreadful start in Europe and been even worse in the Top14 where they sit in a lowly 12th place. So what has gone wrong? After analysing his former club closely in the build-up to the Heineken Champions Cup clash, Cockerill sees a team made up of talented individuals such as their star summer signing, former All Black Julian Savea, who aren’t playing as a collective. ‘Yes, Toulon still have world-class players but you have to ask whether they have the same collective will to win that they used to have,’ Cockerill said. ‘When I was assistant coach and Mike Ford was in charge, it was up to us to try to bring lots of talented players from a lot of nations together. They had a golden generation. We had a backline of Matt Giteau, Ma’a Nonu, Bryan Habana, Leigh Halfpenny, Josua Tuisova. You just have to manage players with that talent and get the best out of them. ‘It looks like they are expecting the same results this season but maybe aren’t playing together like they used to. ‘They haven’t got, although it sounds daft, the quality of player across the board or in depth this season. Yes they have individuals like Josua Tuisova, Malakai Fekiota, Julian Savea, Matthieu Bastareaud — who is unavailable, thank goodness — who can change games but they have not shown it that much this season.’ Cockerill expects controversial club owner
Mourad Boudjellal to be putting the Toulon staff and players under intense pressure following their weekend defeat to Newcastle. Certainly, if they lose again tomorrow they are as good as out of the running. ‘The reality is that Mourad is paying guys thousands of euros per month so he wants his money’s worth,’ the Edinburgh coach attested. ‘He pays big money, he takes his choice and wants success in return. He is very clear about that. ‘I have a lot of respect for what he has done and what Toulon is about but they have not played as they should have this year. ‘You look at their squad. They still have some outstanding players and I expect them to come here and try and put down a few markers, Mourad will demand that. ‘When he bought them they were a mid-table Pro D2 team. Ten years or so later they are three-time European champions and have won the Top14. Whether you like his methods or not you have to respect what he has done. He has bought success to a point and wants more and I expect a backlash against us.’ Cockerill believes Toulon will come again and be a major force provided the owner doesn’t lose interest, but thinks his own team have a great chance for what would be a famous victory. ‘Look, Europe is not finished for Toulon but they have some ground to make up, though, haven’t they?’ he said. ‘They are big-hitters in European rugby and could be again. They have some world-class individuals so I am looking forward to bringing them to Murrayfield and taking them on. ‘For them to lose to Newcastle at home in Europe is pretty disastrous. I know Mourad well enough that that is not going to be welcomed. Patience and stability are two things you would not associate with Toulon and they have to get that back a bit. ‘It should be one of the best places to play or coach ever — great location, fantastic support, great stadium, very wealthy owner. ‘They have been up there at the top and to get back there and stay there will be difficult, but Morad will be pushing them to do that.’ Grant Gilchrist, who Boudjellal failed to sign for Toulon three years ago as he was under contract at Edinburgh at the time, knows his team is in the same boat as Toulon and defeat will see them face an early Heineken Champions Cup exit. ‘You have to win your home games at this level, if we want to get out of the pool,’ said the Scotland second row. ‘We understand that this is not just a turn up and win as Toulon are a great side. It’s going to be a hugely physical challenge against a team that will be looking for a reaction after losing to Newcastle. ‘We did well against Montpellier last weekend and picked up a losing bonus point, but we’re going to have to be better than we were against them. If we do that, we believe we can come away with the win.’