They had won Top 14 titles in and but when the eccentric comic book mogul assumed control of the club in the mid-naughties, they were languishing in the ProD2. Tana Umaga, George Gregan and Andrew Mehrtens were all flashy signings but the construction was hollow at its core, as the trio had a combined age of when they arrived in Toulon.
Umaga's time as Toulon head coach saw the team's growth stagnate. Associated Press Associated Press. The following year he made an equally puzzling decision โ hiring Philippe Saint-Andre. Instead of focusing on past-their-prime veterans, Boudjellal was willing to use his own money to secure current stars. That year showed promise but Toulon were still a mix of big-money signings and various middle-tier players like backs Tom May and Matt Henjak. Funnily, Boudjellal and Racing Metro owner Jacky Lorenzetti took over their respective clubs around the same time but the Parisians are still stuck in phase one.
Claude Paris Claude Paris. Luckily for everyone involved, Saint-Andre got promoted! But just as important as his coaching success was his temperament. Anyone can take a mountain of cash and spray it around โ Boudjellal did that initally at Toulon โ but their player selection has changed for the better over the years. Bastareaud and Giteau arrived in Toulon at the same time and formed a formidable centre partnership.
Even securing the above trio showed an ability to identify different players in different stages of their careers and bring them to the south of France. You had a former international who many thought was past his best and two players who had yet to fulfil their potential.
Success was almost instant. Laporte guided the side to two finals โ the Challenge Cup and the Top 14 โ and although they lost both, their display in losing to Toulouse in the league final showed real growth. They lost and were very unlucky not to grab a late try to win the game. The Toulon hierarchy have made more additions and tweaks since that final and it has resulted in two European Cups and a Top 14 victory.
