How Toulon could line up with Cheslin Kolbe

August 25, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Cheslin Kolbe is reportedly on his way to Toulon ahead of the 2021/22 season after a successful trophy-laden four-year stint at Toulouse.

After securing a Top 14 and Champions Cup double with Toulouse in the 2020/21 season, Springbok flyer Cheslin Kolbe has been linked with a move to Toulon with rumours of a move surfacing on Monday evening. The story gathered pace on Tuesday with beIN Sports reporting that he had signed a three-year deal with Toulon buying him out of the remaining two years of his contract which was set to expire at the end of the 2022/23 season.

On Wednesday (25 August), Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre confirmed to L'ÉQUIPE that there are talks between the club and the Springboks' World Cup-winning speedster but added that "it is possible Toulouse and RCT [will] find an agreement [for the fee to buy Kolbe out of the remainder of his contract]. But we are not there yet"

The Top 14 salary cap is said to be one of the reasons Toulouse are willing to let the man who played a pivotal role in their recent success go while Kolbe's absences from the squad due to test duty is thought to be another with the speedster only scheduled to return to the club in December effectively missing the first half of the season.

So if Toulon manages to agree on a deal with Cheslin Kolbe and Toulouse, how could Patrice Collazo's side line up?

Front Row: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Anthony Etrillard and Beka Gigashvili

Anthony ETRILLARD of Toulon during the Top 14 match between Toulon v Lyon on September 13, 2020 in Toulon, France. (Photo by Alexandre Dimou/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Toulon have added former England and Wasps tighthead Kieran Brookes to their squad ahead of the new season adding depth to a front-row stock that includes French test prop Emerick Setiano and the experienced Florian Fresia.

However, Jean-Baptiste Gros, who is a regular member of the French national team, and Georgian prop Beka Gigashvili will likely start the season as the first choice props with one of either Anthony Etrillard or Christopher Tolofua in between them at hooker. Etrillard was the form Toulon hooker last season and travelled with Les Bleus to Australia.

Second Row: Eben Etzebeth and Leone Nakawara

We may not see the mouth-watering combination of Etzebeth and Nakawara this year as the former is with the Springboks squad and the latter currently still in Fiji but when we do see them in action, it will be a sight to behold.

In the meantime, Collazo does have excellent alternatives at his disposal. Brian Alainu'use has been consistent since arriving at the club while Swan Rebbadj's form earned him a test debut. Newly signed Adrien Warion comes highly rated after his time with Provence in the PROD2 as well as the France u20s while former Ireland and Connacht lock Quinn Roux has also linked up with his new side.

The likes of Facundo Isa, Cornell du Preez and Lopeti Timani have also been known to play in the second row despite mainly being back rowers.

Back Row: Facundo Isa, Charles Ollivon, Sergio Parisse

Another combination we may well have to wait some time to see happen with Facundo Isa and Charles Ollivon nursing long term injuries but Italy legend Sergio Parisse is back for another 'final season'.

Collazo has also brought in Scotland international Cornell du Preez from Worcester and Australian international Lopeti Timani from La Rochelle. France international Raphael Lakafia will play a handy role in covering multiple back row roles and may well lead the side in a few games while Ollivon works his way to full fitness.

Halfbacks: Baptiste Serin & Louis Carbonel

Toulon will welcome the return of Anthony Belleau from a long term injury with the 25-year-old likely to start the opening games of the season while Carbonel gets his rest after featuring for France Down under. Belleau may well be shifted into the centres when Carbonel does return while 21-year-old Mathieu Samili will look to fight for some game time after spending last season on loan with Mont-de-Marsan in the PROD2.

Serin looks the obvious choice at scrumhalf with the experienced Tane Takulua backing him up. Youngsters Julien Blanc and Jules Danglot have also been drafted into the side and will look to put pressure on the two more experienced nines.

Centres: Julien Heriteau and Duncan Paia'aua

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 6: Duncan Paia'aua of RC Toulon, Gerbrandt Grobler of Stade Francais during the Top 14 match between Stade Francais and RC Toulon at Stade Jean Bouin on December 6, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)

With Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, FC du Plessis and Isaia Toeava all leaving the club at the end of the 2020/21 season, Toulon are left somewhat light on options in the midfield.

The failure to lure Jonathan Joseph and Ngani Laumape to the club did not help elevate the stress in the midfield. However, the unknown entity of Petero Tuwai who signed with the club from an amateur club in New Zealand on the advice of Sireli Bobo could be a potential threat. Bobo also suggested Vakatawa to Racing 92 in the past so he could well be a fantastic signing for the club.

Heriteau and Paia'aua look set to start the season as the first choice centres for the side with Theo Dachary pushing for a place in the side too. As mentioned before, Belleau could well feature in the midfield with a few wingers like Erwan Dridi, Simon Moretti, Kalani Robert, Jiuta Wainiqolo or Atila Septar potentially filling in the midfield.

Outside Backs: Gabin Villiere, Gervais Cordin and Cheslin Kolbe

Cheslin KOLBE of Toulouse during the Top 14 match between Toulouse and Toulon on October 4, 2020 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Alexandre Dimou/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Injuries have hampered the development of the highly-rated Gervais Cordin but with the 23-year-old looking to put those concerns behind him, Toulon could field a back three of incredibly gifted steppers.

The addition of Kolbe could see the Springbok spend more time at fullback than he has in recent seasons with Toulouse but the strongest XV may be with him on the right-wing, Cordin in the #15 jumper and Villiere on the left depending on the time of structures Collazo implements.

Thomas Salles may well make a strong claim for the fullback role having joined the club from PROD2 side Aurillac while Paia'aua and Belleau have also featured in the role before.

The likes of Erwan Dridi, Aymeric Luc and Tuwai could shake up the make up of the back three too but heading into the season, Villiere, Cordin and Kolbe do look as if they are the best Toulon can field.

How Toulon could line up during the 2021/22 season: