Are Toulouse slipping from their lofty perch?

The French champions are under reconstruction, but write them off at your peril

PLUS ça change plus ça reste le même. The names on the Toulouse teamsheet may be changing little by little these days, but in terms of results, little has changed during a time of uncertainty for the legendary French club.

Last Saturday night was the perfect example; Toulouse’s 22-18 victory over Michael Cheika’s Stade Francais in Paris signalled the French champions’ qualification for the Top 14 play-offs. It wasn’t a great performance by les Toulousains, but, given the number of young players at his disposal, coach Guy Noves could afford a wry smile as the bells of Notre Dame rang out to signal the 80 minute mark at the Stade de France.