After baptism of fire, Coughlan and Toulon are turning up the heat

A fraught start to life on the French south coast steeled former Munster man for turnaround in fortunes as Toulon hunt Challenge Cup silverware

Plenty on his plate: Toulon's coaching overhaul has seen James Coughlan wear many hats this term.

Munster’s interest in events in Marseille this weekend stretches beyond tomorrow’s showpiece Heineken Champions Cup final, when Leinster assistant coach Denis Leamy and La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara and his forwards coach Donnacha Ryan go up against one another. Tonight’s all-French showdown at Stade Velodrome will see James Coughlan play his part as Toulon meet Lyon in the Challenge Cup final.

Toulon’s presence in a European final represents quite a turnaround in fortunes for the former Galacticos whose season started with a depleted squad missing its Southern Hemisphere imports on Rugby Championship duty on top of a lengthy injury list including captain Charles Ollivon.