Top 14: ‘Cockerel’ Frederic Michalak admits Toulouse runs
through his veins
30
October 2008
 Frederic
Michalak said Stade Toulouse was a part of his make-up after
returning to his former club following a successful one-year
stint with the Natal Sharks in South Africa.
“It is normal I return here,” said the 26-year-old
international fly-half. “When I left, the club president
[Jean-Rene Bouscatel] and Guy Noves [the head coach] said to
me that the door was always open.
“And then, of course, the red and black flows through my
veins,” he admitted.
Michalak played a starring role as the Sharks won the Currie
Cup at the weekend but said he would be glad to return to a
more open style of play with his beloved hometown club.
“I will be happy to get my hands on the ball a little more
with Toulouse,” he confessed gleefully.
Michalak is likely to go straight into the Toulouse squad to
face Brive at the weekend, and Noves was clearly delighted
to have his former No 10 back in the club’s ranks. But the
wise old coach knows competition for places could prove
spiky with David Skrela having already staked his claim
following a summer move from Stade Francais.
There is an equally tough conundrum at scrum half with
former All Black and Top 14 Player of the Year Byron
Kelleher now scrapping with French international and
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.
“To return a cockerel to the hen coop is not going to be
easy,” he said of Michalak’s return.
It is, however, a welcome headache to have for a team
rediscovering its best form after a slow start to the new
season. Last weekend’s 26-13 victory against previously
unbeaten leaders Stade Francais had already buoyed the club.
Now, the prodigal son has returned to the fold too. It has
already been quite a week for Noves, what with Clement
Poitrenaud’s continuing return from injury and 21-year-old
Maxime Medard named in the French squad.
Alarm bells should be ringing for Brive, Saturday’s visitors
to ‘La Ville Rose’ in the Top 14, with the home crowd and
players likely to be in celebratory mood.
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