Not just mercenaries at Toulon
With a first team packed full of international stars, it would be easy to believe that Toulon was relying exclusively on its cheque book to pave the way to future glory. But the club is also playing its “training centre” card, and is sticking to it's “one-third locals policy.”
With a first team packed full of international stars, it would be easy to believe that Toulon was relying exclusively on its cheque book to pave the way to future glory. But the club is also playing its “training centre” card, and is sticking to it's “one-third locals policy.”
There are more than just mercenaries at Racing Club Toulonnais.
In a second division team that includes, amongst others, Victor Matfield, George Gregan, Andrew Merhtens, Chris Roussow, Anton Oliver, Dan Luger, Orene Ai'i and is looking to acquire the services of Bakkies Botha, you would think that there isn't a whole lot of space for local players, especially the local youngsters. Well, you'd be wrong.
Even if club president Mourad Boudjellal is putting on a 'show' with his star-studded team that incites all kinds of curiosity and a fair dose of jealousy, he is delivering to his promise of selecting “one-third Toulonnais” in every match.
“If we look at the matches since the start of the season, you'll notice that practically all the youngsters from the 'training centre' have made at least one appearance, ” Olivier Bodon, former Toulon scrum-half and current director of the club's training centre, told French daily Midi Libre.
“Tana Umaga, the director of rugby, has always been very clear on the subject. The objective is to get promoted to the Top 14 with the players from the club's youth programme,” he said.
“Most of then train with the first team at the start of the week before rejoining the Espoirs (youth team) on Thursdays. There is a concrete policy of club development here.”
A surprising example of this integration of youngsters in the team is Yohan Maestri, who has just turned 20 and who plays at lock alongside Victor Matfield.
The captain of the Under-20 team admits that he has learnt a lot from his world champion team-mate.
“You could say [learning] is a non-negotiable. They bring lots to the club. [In return] we teach them what it means to wear the red and black…” said Maestri, a product of the Toulouse rugby school.
So important is the inclusion of local players in the side that Matfield was picked to play as a flank away at Béziers on Sunday to allow Maestri to start at lock!
Meaestri has worn the red and black Toulon jersey in all but one of the season's games so far.
“The message has been clear from the start from [the coaches] Tana Umaga and Jean-Jacques Crenca. They're counting on us for the future,” said Meaestri.
It's up to us to prove ourselves. It's true that with guys like Matfield, Gregan, or Oliver, the bar has been placed quite high! It's up to us now to get there…and even further.”