Unlikely to play: Wilko and Giteau
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has played down the fact they will put out a second XV against defending champions Toulouse on Saturday.
Current league pace-setters Toulon are expected to give the day off to several of their star players as they prepare to open their Heineken Cup season, which begins on October 14, against Montpellier.
"If people think we are going to throw away this match, they are going to be surprised," 52-year-old businessman Boudjellal assured AFP.
"We have to use our squad for the whole season and with the European Cup approaching and this match not being a final, there is no reason not to give playing time to other squad members.
"Bernard (Laporte) has been talking about this for a while now and we are all in agreement.
"The season is long and there is no point being top of the league for 26 matches and then to lose a semi-final."
Boudjellal has not yet decided whether he will even attend Saturday's Top 14 clash.
"I love Toulouse and I love the Municipal Stadium but I don't think I'll be going," he said.
"You never know, it's not so far from Toulon and if on Saturday morning I feel like taking the car, I'll go as a spectator. Saying that, each time I've been to Toulouse, we've won and as I'm superstitious ...."
Meanwhile, coach Laporte revealed their recent 33-12 victory over Castres came at a cost.
"We won't get ahead of ourselves even if we are happy to have 27 points after six games," said the former France coach, who is bidding to guide the club to only their fourth title.
"There was a deal struck that the players would get a week of holidays if they won these six games. When I agreed the deal with the players I didn't imagine it would come about.
"Those with whom the deal was agreed won't train this week and therefore will not play against Toulouse. However, we will not select a joke team because we respect those who we play against."
Comments
Toulousain says...
GCP. good question, but pls don't tell PSA!!
I think historically back row selections have been based around three roles: 1) speedy fetcher/tackler/support runner, 2) ball carrier, 3) aerial/lineout master. 1 has been dusautoir and ouedraogo, 2 picamoles and vermeulen, 3 bonnaire and harinordoquy. so i guess nyanga, as a type 1 player, has been seen as not as good as ouedraogo?
Posted 12:39 26th September 2012
GCP_JONES says...
@Toulousain....
I have every faith that Mr Noves will out-wit, out-think, Mr laporte on Saturday. I for one will be supporting Toulouse.
I know you probarly don't want any more of your players called up the the french Squad but can you explain to me Yannick Nyanga is'nt selected ?.
Posted 10:47 26th September 2012
crunchfit says...
@jamesliveinhope
Obviously it's not a development side. Other clubs develop players then Toulon use Boudjellal's money to buy them.
Posted 23:43 25th September 2012
Toulousain says...
@GCP_JONES. you got me mon ami! what disturbs me (secretly many things disturb me, but this is not a confessional!) is that i'm still worried we will lose to their 2nd team. mourad's army has a deep bench. meanwhile, we have been playing like uninterested schoolgirls. the result is not a foregone conclusion methinks. peace :-)
Posted 18:13 25th September 2012
kybone says...
Have any of you actually read the article? The reason they are resting players is because a deal was made between the coach and a group of players that he would give them a week off if they won the first 6 games of the season. Still a ridiculous situation, but there you go. It is Toulon after all.
Posted 17:20 25th September 2012
GCP_JONES says...
Toulousain Calling Toulousain....
What were you saying about PRO12 sides resting players. Its a top of the table clash an they are giving the lads the weekned off, your arguements don't hold much water now mo cara.
Posted 16:39 25th September 2012
Toulousain says...
in french we say "touchee". well said mon ami de leinster !! :-)
Posted 14:41 25th September 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
@leinster_goy - like what melkdave says, it won't be a development side that takes to the field and six from six with a +80 points difference hardly mirrors Leinster's selections/performances/respect for the ticket paying punter so far in their league.
Posted 14:29 25th September 2012
hhlamazing says...
@Leinster_goy well said
Posted 14:14 25th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
A well earned holiday. Hope Quinns and Saints do it too. If they do it still won't make the Aviva like that joke of a league; Rambo first blood 12.
Posted 13:53 25th September 2012
crunchfit says...
Sensible move.
Posted 13:50 25th September 2012
leinster_goy says...
damn those rabodirect pro12 teams. they're always resting their best players, even for the big top-of-the-table bumper fixtures that tv companies pay all their money to broadcast and market, just so they can prepare for the heineken cup. why can't they be more like the french???
:-P
Posted 12:24 25th September 2012
melkdave says...
Even a Toulon 2nd string could look a very good side,given the amount of class players there atm.
Posted 12:18 25th September 2012