Toulon a team of stars

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I was just looking at the top 14 squads this season and was amazed at the signings of Toulon again, i was just wondering how they are actually going to get all those players into a 15 man squad?

These are my 15 of the top players, who would you put where?

1. Andrew Sheridan or Jenkins
2. Bruno
3. Hayman or Chilachava
4. Bakkies Botha or Simon Shaw
5. Kennedy
6. Lobbe or Van Niekerk
7. Steffan Artmatige
8. Masoe or Delve
9.Tillous borde lack of top class depth maybe?
10. Wilkinson or Michalak
11. Palisson
12. Giteau
13. Mermoz or Guy Armatige or Bastareaud
14. D. Smith
15. Delon Armatige


So much class its more like an all star team i'd make on a rugby fantasy site rather than a french one!!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Lack of top class depth at 9? Michalak plays scrum-half...

 

[welshglory]

I think Michalak is going to be playing 10 mostly, rotating with Wilkinson. They've got Nicolas Durand in the squad who can play 9, he's a solid player.

Delve is staying with Melbourne

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Lack of top class depth at 9? Michalak plays scrum-half...

Ar i forgot that he can play 9 to, i guess you also have giteau who can cover 10 as well.

Didn't know Delve way staying, that makes their selection a bit easier then!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

They also have Kubriashvili at tighthead, who kept Hayman on the bench for more than a season. He was destroyed by Steenkamp last final though. Fernández Lobbe is the first choice #8 (or is expected to be when he's back), and Pierrick Günther (good player) is the cover for Van Niekerk.
Michalak is there to play 10, as welshglory said. At least, that's what both player and coach have told the press. Mermoz was supposed to rotate with Giteau at 12, but they started him at 13 on the season opener... I hope they play him at 12, as there is where he is needed for France.
What I dislike about Toulon is that they make every effort possible for their players not to represent their country. Their side is full of internationals, but only a few that currently play for their country, and I'm sure they'll do everything possible to keep the likes of Gethin Jenkins and the Armitages during the test windows.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Michalak is an interesting signing. As far as 10's go he's about as far removed from the current Toulon style as you can get. That said, the Doc was known as an excellent attacking out half in his pre France days too.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Can't guy armatige play for france? That would be an interesting thought? i don't know if he will get much game time at toulon but obviously regarded high enough to sign from enlgand?

Is Bastareaud still eating pies or is he due for a come back?

 

[Nielsch]

Can't guy armatige play for france? QUOTE]

I think so. Guy only represented England at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship in the U20 team. As this doesn't count as the 'next senior 15-a-side National Representative Team' (this being the England Saxons), I think he's still allowed to play for France after his 36 months in France.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

All four Armitage brothers lived from 1996 to 2002 in France, Delon even played for France U-16. I think that counts for the three year rule (I don't think it has to be "the last three years")

 

[Tony Manx]

One reason why their players are not current internationals is their ages and/or history.....other than Steffan Armitage, Mermoz and Palisson that is!

Their biggest problem will be to get the most out of the "galactigos" as a TEAM where they have failed in the past, they have to keep them all happy with the limited playing time that a lot of them will get and have Laporte and a rather over-excitable owner!! That being said, they can put out two or three teams, (not at once!!) that could play very attractive and certainly winning rugby if permitted!!

 

[Colombia]

4. Bakkies Botha or Simon Shaw
5. Kennedy

Looks to be Bakkies Botha and Simon Shaw, Kennedy hasn't had a start yet.

 

[Nielsch]

All four Armitage brothers lived from 1996 to 2002 in France, Delon even played for France U-16. I think that counts for the three year rule (I don't think it has to be "the last three years")

Yes it has to be the last three years. Otherwise Tim Visser would have been eligible to play for England for instance after he moved to Scotland.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Botha and shaw, what a 2nd row combination! Although after 60 minutes they will be be blowing!