Musical chairs for French pivots

Stade Français and France fly-half David Skrela refuses to give a clear answer to questions regarding his future despite speculation that he has already inked a deal with Toulouse for next season.

Stade Français and France fly-half David Skrela refuses to give a clear answer to questions regarding his future despite speculation that he has already inked a deal with Toulouse for next season.

Skrela's contract with the Parisians expires at the end of the season and it's no secret that he has been in negotiations with the club's arch-rivals.

“Everyone knows I've been in contact with Stade Toulousain and that we're in negotiations,” he told L'Equipe.

“I've given myself until the end of the Six Nations to take my decision whether to stay in Paris or move to Toulouse.

“For the moment I can't say for which club I'll play Toulouse have for months been looking for a replacement for Frédéric Michalak [now in South Africa with the Sharks] and Jean-Frederic Du Bois.”

Toulouse coach Guy Novès has courted both Parisian fly-halves, Skrela and Lionel Beauxis, after giving up on former Wallaby Stephen Larkham.

Michalak, however, has always said that he wishes to return to Toulouse after his southern hemisphere “adventure”, and given his near-idol status in la ville rose, that seems likely to happen.

The fact that Skrela can play at both flyhalf and centre is said to be playing a role in the saga. Argentina star, Juan Martín Hernàndez, currently playing at full-back in Paris, has made no secret of the fact that he would prefer to play in the number ten jumper.

That has left Stade coach Fabien Galthié in a difficult position since both Beauxis and Skrela are also international flyhalves and Beauxis is the first-choice place kicker in Skrela's absence.

Hernàndez has also stated that he wishes to rejoin coach Marcelo Loffreda at Leicester, although no such deal has ever realistically been on the cards.

In the next few weeks Stade Français will need their wits about them as they face Biarritz, Perpignan, Clermont and then leaders Toulouse.

All four, like the Parisian club, have title ambitions and the month of March will be make or break. With many international players missing from all the teams during the Six Nations, strength in depth will be key.

“It's going to be a crazy month – but I think we have the depth to make the semi-finals,” said Skrela.

But before Stade face there championship rivals, they must remain concentrated enough to overcome Auch, currently propping up the Top 14 table.

Club president Max Guazzani left the stands at half-time during last weekend's Stade-Brive match to read the riot act to an under-performing Stade side. His message had its desired effect as the Parisians destroyed Brive in the second half.

“Against Auch, we'll have to play to our full potential from the first minute to the last,” said Skrela.

It's likely that Skrela will be chosen at flyhalf against England in France's next Six Nations match on February 23 when solid kicking will be a priority.

“There's no specific plan for England – we're not going to change what we've prepared over the last 15 days,” he said.

“We need keep our current mind set and motivation. Maybe a bit more continuity will be needed.”