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Maxime Mermoz
Discussion started by Boy (IP Logged), 20 January, 2017 08:51
MESSAGES->author
Boy
20 January, 2017 08:51
Reports that he'll be joining Leicester for the rest of the season, arriving in February. Then he's off to Racing.

Sounds like Toulon's decision to keep hold of him when we were linked hasn't worked out as they had planned.

MESSAGES->author
Robbinho
20 January, 2017 09:21
Injury replacement for Tuilagi?

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
20 January, 2017 09:27
I think Mike Ford has to revamp the back line, LeClerc has a long term injury, Mermoz off. Habana's contract up, looking for renewal, (at 33?)
Ma'a Nonu and Mathieu Bastareaud may be coming back to form under Ford but Nonu is 34!

MESSAGES->author
hasta
20 January, 2017 09:43
Mike Ford needs to beat Sarries, else he's out of a job. He's probably out of a job at the end of the season anyway.

Bath Supporter Jack
Bath Supporter Jack
20 January, 2017 09:51
So that's another owner George will be cross with(Sm22)

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
20 January, 2017 09:55
Not so sure Hasta, several players at the the club saying that they are benefiting from a bit of stability. Toulon won't beat Sarries but as I said above their ageing backs need revamping. I think he will be given time.

MESSAGES->author
hasta
20 January, 2017 10:04
The players might like some stability - although some of them should have serious question marks against their attitude and performance. Mourad's not the most likely to provide that. I think Cockerill's more likely to stay there. Speaks French too, which makes a huge difference.

I wouldn't totally write Toulon off against Sarries. They're definitely playing better than they were, Giteau's back and Sarries aren't as dominant without the brothers Vunipola.

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
20 January, 2017 10:11
OK, dont agree, but I take your point. Giteau may be back but he is part of my point, he is 34 as well. If you need to rebuild a back line I'm not sure Cockerill's your man!

MESSAGES->author
hasta
20 January, 2017 10:17
I'm not particularly sure coaches have much role in recruitment at Toulon.

gaz59
gaz59
20 January, 2017 10:37
If Ford gets the heave-ho at Toulon then he must be one of the most highly paid not to work persons around, scandalous if it happens

MESSAGES->author
hasta
20 January, 2017 10:43
Why is it scandalous?

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
20 January, 2017 12:30
Personally I think Cockers has more chance of staying than Ford, because he is a fluent french speaker and he has the experience of winning many competitions at club level, both domestically and in Euro Cups, and has the valuable knowledge of having played in France himself.

Ford has known of these things on his CV and at best may become the Director of rugby, but Cockers will do the majority of hands on coaching and potentially tactics.

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
20 January, 2017 13:18
Quote:
Bathovalballer
Personally I think Cockers has more chance of staying than Ford, because he is a fluent french speaker and he has the experience of winning many competitions at club level, both domestically and in Euro Cups, and has the valuable knowledge of having played in France himself.
Ford has known of these things on his CV and at best may become the Director of rugby, but Cockers will do the majority of hands on coaching and potentially tactics.

26 out of a sqaud of 50 are French the balance are from South Africa, Australia with a few from pacific Islands, UK etc.

What language do you think players like Ma'a Nonu, Matt Giteau, Leigh Halfpenny, James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell, Brian Habana want to be coached in?

Not forgetting Steve Meehan and Cockerill as coaches

Toulon were built on Boudjellal's money bring in foreign stars, for mostly English speaking countries.

I recognise that French is an advantage, but can't see why he would be ruled out of coaching because he isn't fluent.

MESSAGES->author
hasta
20 January, 2017 13:52
I don't think he's ruled out shipwrecked, but it's a distinct advantage. Not just on coaching, but on communicating with Mourad, media responsibilities etc. - particularly in France.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
20 January, 2017 14:26
Also look at Cockers record as a coach compared to Ford. The results speak for themselves IMV and if I wanted to bring in a foreign coach I would be looking very closely at their track record.

Don't forget when Ford was appointed Cockerill was not available!

MESSAGES->author
Clarkey3k
22 January, 2017 13:15
The Rugby Paper is reporting Mermoz to Newcastle Falcons this summer after a loan spell at Tigers from 1st Feb. Why would he choose to go there?



Adopted players: 23/24 O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw

Family . Community . Nation - [sdp.org.uk]

My mind's been going places without me lately - Bushfire The B52's

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
22 January, 2017 14:28
Quote:
Clarkey3k
The Rugby Paper is reporting Mermoz to Newcastle Falcons this summer after a loan spell at Tigers from 1st Feb. Why would he choose to go there?

He has(n't) been quoted as saying that it was the similarity of the Newcastle climate to that of Toulon and that the Épinal old town where he was born is like the Bigg Market on a Friday night.

by
by
22 January, 2017 19:16
Would be an excellent signing for Newcastle if true.

DeceptivePace
DeceptivePace
23 January, 2017 15:53
Falcon fan in peace...
Maybe Wilkinson, Hayman and Tom May shared some Instagram shots of the Toon at the weekend with him and he fancies filling his boots?
Alternatively, Dean Richards may have impressed him with a vision of how things could be developing up here and he fancies being part of it as our marquee player?
It's far too early to be overly confident about the future, but things are looking up in this part of the world. Goneva and Marcus Watson have been good signings for us and a centre of the class of Mermoz would be a piece of the jigsaw without a shadow of doubt.

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
23 January, 2017 16:02
Wasn't Marcus Watson off to Wasps?

MESSAGES->author
OutsideBath
23 January, 2017 16:04
He'd have to be mad to swap the lifestyle and climate of Toulon for Newcastle.

Rolfs_Cartoon_Club
@Hydor18
23 January, 2017 16:59
Easy for anyone to be snobby about the Toon, but I've never heard anything bad said about living up there. If Falcons can hang on to their DoR and their best players, they're on to something good. There was a time when Leicester treated them like how we treat London Irish.

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
23 January, 2017 17:56
There is a difference Hydor between going out on the Toon for a night out (which is brilliant, I lived there for a while) and playing rugby up in the posterior end of nowhere (i.e. Kingston Park) on a cold north east night. I'm sure a night out is better in Newcastle but the day job wouldn't be up to much.

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
25 January, 2017 14:29
Been confirmed that Leicester have signed him.

gaz59
gaz59
25 January, 2017 15:52
Not a great strike rate at the top level for a Centre

The 30-year-old has scored three tries in 35 international appearances.


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