Toulouse. Toulon met the end of the Patrice Collazo era
Three years of collaboration ended in a few words: RC Toulon, 13th in the ranking announced in a laconic press release the departure of his manager since 2018.
Penultimate in the standings, with only two victories in eight days of the championship, the three-time European champion and four-time champion of France brought the Collazo experience to an abrupt end.
The former pillar, now 47 years old, did not resist a new defeat, a heavy setback (39), Sunday evening, which – by his own admission – had made him “headache”.
He arrived in La Rade in 2018, to succeed the current coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié, after a successful reign in La Rochelle (2011-2018).
For the reception of Biarritz, Saturday on behalf of the 9th day of Top 14, it is the Irishman James Coughlan, in charge of the defense of the RCT, who will be on the bench.
Collazo, born in the Var, has never managed to qualify the club for the finals, finishing 9th in his first season and 8th last season.
During the 2019-2020 edition, interrupted by the pandemic, the RCT was 4th in the regular phase after 17 days. This season, he has not been spared from injuries to senior players.
While waiting for Kolbe and Michalak
Superstar Cheslin Kolbe, snatched at great expense from Stade Toulouse, will not play until mid-December due to a knee injury.
Beyond the results and absences, his successes, his durations, had also ended up turning part of his workforce and supporters against him.
A demonstration by Var fans was even scheduled for Thursday.
At the beginning of October, the president of the RCT Bernard Lemaître stepped up to defend his now ex-coach, nevertheless assuring that a “balance sheet” would be made after the three meetings against Brive, Racing 92 and La Rochelle. “I read that the players would have tired of the situation. But they are not tired of their salary … And if it was the reverse, if the club was tired of its players?”, Then launched Lemaître.
Sign of concerns within the Var club, the RCT had recently announced the return of Frédéric Michalak. The former opening half of the XV of France, currently a consultant to the Sydney Roosters rugby union club, will join the Var club in December to follow “the individual development of the players”.
