News: Toulouse beckons for future stars Picamoles and David;
FC Auch Gers saved
23 January
2009
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All aboard: Stade Toulousain |
They may
have a galaxy of stars already on their books but the search
for yet greater depth is driving Toulouse to continue their
recruitment campaign with the addition of two of France's
brightest young talents: Louis Picamoles and Yann David.
The
capture of Picamoles - reported in today's Midi Olympique
- concludes a lengthy courtship process that began back in
the summer when Toulouse head coach Guy Noves first
approached the Montpellier international.
At one
point it looked like their wooing would be in vain after
Philippe Deffins assumed the presidency at Montpellier and
set about tying down their best young players to lengthy
contracts, but Deffins' sudden resignation - and the
subsequent fallout - has scuppered the club's plans.
With
Toulouse waiting eagerly in the wings it didn't take long
for the Top 14 champions to pounce, and Midi Olympique
reports that Picamoles, 22, has now agreed a four-year
deal with the three-times European champions.
The news
of Picamoles' capture would be a welcome enough boost for
the club ahead of its crucial Heineken Cup clash with Bath
on Sunday, but was doubled when the south-west giants also
confirmed that David would be joining them next season.
The
once-capped 20-year-old has signed from Bourgoin and will
now compete for a starting place with Toulouse's four other
international centres: Yannick Jauzion, Florian Fritz,
Maleli Kunavore and Manu Ahotaeiloa.
It must
be a frightening prospect for the rest of Top 14 that
Toulouse can continue to pick up the cream of young French
talent, and it is a double blow to struggling Bourgoin
following the confirmed departure of international
scrum-half Morgan Parra to Clermont Auvergne earlier in the
week.
"I
consider Toulouse to be the benchmark in style and I need to
progress tactically and as far as technique is concerned,"
said David.
"I have
no regrets, but it breaks my heart to leave Bourgoin. I've
been wearing this jersey since I was small," said the player
who made his international debut against Italy in last
season's RBS Six Nations.
The sky,
it seems, remains the limit for Toulouse, but other clubs
have more humble ambitions. For Pro D2 outfit FC Auch
Gers it is mere survival - something that was seriously
in doubt until they received good news yesterday.
Financial worries have been dogging the club for weeks
following confirmation of a budget shortfall, but a 150,000
euro input from Regis Dumange - CEO of Textilot - has saved
the club from liquidation.
In
addition its players have agreed a 14% reduction in wages
for next season as they seek to tighten their belts in the
current financial crisis.
Fellow
Pro D2 outfit Pau have likewise accepted a salary
cut, with club president Bernard Pontneau confirming its
players will take a 3.5% reduction in their wages for next
season.
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