Skrela senior hoping the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

FORMER Toulouse and France legend Jean-Claude Skrela will have different reasons for an attack of nerves before this afternoon’s Heineken Cup semi final against Leinster at Le Stadium.

Proud father of David, the Toulouse flyhalf, Jean-Claude knows the white-hot intensity that characterises matches at this level. He was part of a legendary France back row alongside Jean-Pierre Rives in the late 1970’s and had a successful coaching career thereafter, bringing Toulouse to glory in the 80s and France in the 90s, along with Pierre Villepreux.

With the chance of a trip to Paris in the offing for the winners of today’s game, Skrela admitted he felt Toulouse would edge the European champions – but only if they raised their game.