Ford: Cockers can make our pack the best in Europe
TOULON might be down but Mike Ford is adamant they are not out of the Champions Cup just yet.
The former winners lost two of their four opening games and trail Saracens by eight points going into the last two rounds but, as they prepare to take on Sale at the Stade Mayol, Ford reckons they have their fate in their hands.
They will be looking for vast improvements however after suffering a 30-6 demolition by Clermont in the Top 14 last weekend.
Ford said: “Qualification is still in our hands and we know what we have to do. We have to deal with Sale first before going to Saracens next week.
“Sarries are a great team – they have the cup we won in the past and we’d like to have it back.
“We had a very honest meeting with the players on Monday. We drew a line in the sand and we’re looking to get better.”
Following the Clermont game, Ford admitted his side might not be as feared as they were a couple of seasons ago, but he was quick to bring in Richard Cockerill to help turn their fortunes around.
The former Leicster boss arrived in the South of France on Wednesday and will work alongside forwards coach Marc Dal Maso.
Ford added: “I’ve been looking for a new coach for three or four weeks and ‘Cockers’ has become available. I’ve known him for a long while now and he’s a winner. He’s won Premierships with Leicester and he’s been in loads of finals and semi-finals over the years.
“Having him at the club is only going to make us better and I’m sure he can make our pack one of the best in Europe.
“Marc Dal Maso is doing a great job but it’s too hard for one man to look after the 28 forwards we have in our squad. You just can’t get the detail playing at this level requires.”
Leigh Halfpenny, who missed last week’s rout in Clermont, returns at fullback for Toulon who welcome back Matt Giteau and Joe Tuivosa from injury.
Sale will field an entirely new back row with Magnus Lund, David Seymour and Laurence Pearce starting in a pack that also sees the inclusion of Jonathan Mills.
Teenager Paolo Odogwu replaces Denny Solomona on the wing with Mike Phillips and Mark Jennings coming in at scrum-half and centre.