David Barnes brings the latest news from the Top 14
Mike Ford and Richard Cockerill are walking a dangerous tightrope in their coaching roles with Toulon as they had their holidays cancelled by their furious boss.
All of a sudden, their exploit in helping their men qualify for the Champions Cup quarter-finals at Saracens seems a long time ago.
Especially since they disappointed their demanding home fans by losing 23-20 to La Rochelle, who became new Top 14 leaders yesterday.
At least until Clermont, whose awesome fortress Toulon must visit for the Euro showdown, have the chance to reclaim their leading spot this afternoon.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, who had planned to give his men time off during the Six Nations break, said: “When you see our level, we need to work, not go on holiday. I apologise to our supporters.”
And, for those like Ford and Cockerill who had no doubt booked flights home, he added: “Holidays are cancelled. I don’t care about airline tickets or anything, that’s their problem. When you play at Toulon, it implies getting results.”
La Rochelle finally took the points 40 seconds into added time when Brock James held his nerve to kick the winning penalty.
Both Ford and Cockerill could not have presided over a worse first-half performance.
One marked by sloppy handling, hopeless line-outs and feeble scrums that left them lucky to be just three points down at the break.
Their futures are in the balance with Boudjellal openly discussing the choices he says he will make soon.
He says, Ford, contracted to the end of the season, has been brave to import a man with the capacity to succeed him as boss.
There again, he has made it clear in many meetings with Fabien Galthie that he may well prefer him.
Hardly a vote of confidence in his Englishmen, though he did accept Ford had scored points in accepting and winning his Euro challenge.
La Rochelle winger Vincent Rattez scored a try midway through the first half and added another on the hour.
Toulon, who lost five lineouts on their own throw before the break, did not have a single ball to exploit until their opponents messed up the same set play to allow hooker Jean-Charles Orioli to bundle over.
In the last quarter, Toulon had four acceptable penalties which they spurned in favour of going for broke, eventually forcing a penalty try.
With the scores level, they allowed themselves to be outmuscled on their own scrum, a final indignity that gave James the chance to kick for glory, La Rochelle’s first win at Toulon since the 1970’s.
Castres leapfrogged Toulon and relegated them to the fringe of the top six with an impressive 38-25 win over Montpellier. Castres were never behind from the first minute when brilliant young scrum-half Antoine Dupont, destined for Toulouse, dashed from the halfway line with a quickly-taken penalty.
Winger David Smith, Rory Kockott and flanker Yannick Caballero kept them in front with further tries despite replies from giant Fijian centre Nemani Nodolo and South African lock Paul Wilemse twice.
Castres jumped into fourth place above Toulouse, beaten at home 20-10 by Pau.
An unhappy experience for Toby Flood, given a rare start.
Pau, like Castres, were never headed after an early opening try from hooker Thomas Bianchin even though Samoan winger Paul Perez pulled Toulouse level.
They went on to win with something in hand when centre Julien Fumat took advantage of faulty handling by Toulouse full-back Maxime Medard to go over.
Flood, limited to one penalty and a conversion, was replaced at fly-half by Luke McAlister with 12 minutes to play.
Stade Francais made a flying start at Grenoble, wingers Julien Arias and Jeremy Sinzelle giving them a 12-point lead within seven minutes.
But by the break, thanks to the reliable boot of flyhalf Jonathan Wisniewski and a try from hooker Arnaud Heguy, Grenoble were in front.
They finished runaway 44-22 winners with further tries from Fabrice Estebanez, Xavier Mignot and Irish centre Chris Farrell.