Toulouse, arguably European rugby’s most successful side, go into this weekend’s round of Top 14 action seeking to buck a four-match losing streak and an eight-month losing away record.
A 27-16 defeat by Racing-Metro last week, notably featuring an embarrassing 30-metre rolling maul that led to a try for the Parisians and the loss of six of their own 13 lineouts, has left the former four-time European Cup champions on their worst losing run for 36 years.
They are 13 points adrift of Top 14 leaders Clermont after six matches and down in ninth spot, but long-time coach Guy Noves insists he is not worried ahead of Friday’s trip to Bayonne, who narrowly avoided relegation last season but are never an easy prospect at home.
“This situation is a bit new for me but when we have responsibilities, it doesn’t help anyone to get worried. You have to find solutions,” Noves said.
“It’s always complicated when you’re not winning.”
But Noves recalled a year when Toulouse shipped 77 points in losing to English club Wasps in 1996-7.
“It was a catastrophe,” he said of the result in London. “But eventually, we finished the season as champions of France.
“I feel today like a boxer who has often won bouts and is asked to continue winning with one hand behind his back and the other in a plastercast.”
Noves added: “As for the match at Bayonne on Friday, we’ll go there with a very competitive team, believe you me.
“Toulouse, and I’ve been telling people this for several years, will one day no longer play in the European Cup.
“But I have confidence in our leaders, our squad and our club, and before speaking about a battle to stay up, please be a little patient.”
Undoubtedly the clash of the weekend is defending Top 14 and European champions Toulon hosting Montpellier at the Stade Mayol, the teams sitting second and third in the league on 19 and 18 points respectively.
Toulon destroyed Brive last week in a eight-try running fest, but will likely be pushed somewhat harder by fellow south coast club Montpellier, boosted Wednesday by Samoa-born New Zealander No 8 Alex Tulou extending his contract until 2017.
In an indication of how tight the Top 14 is and how unrelenting the season promises to be, three clubs are tied on 17 points behind Montpellier.
Fourth-placed Bordeaux-Begles travel to Brive while Racing-Metro are away at Grenoble and Stade Francais host La Rochelle.
Lyon entertain Castres, while Clermont travel to Oyonnax in Saturday’s late game.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Bayonne v Toulouse (1845)
Saturday
Toulon v Montpellier (1245), Brive v Bordeaux-Begles, Grenoble v Racing-Metro, Lyon v Castres, Stade Francais v La Rochelle (all 1630), Oyonnax v Clermont (1845)