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Big-spending Toulon have unveiled Sale coach and former France rugby skipper Philippe Saint-Andre as their new sporting director for next season when he will work alongside manager Tana Umaga.
In a shock announcement, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal also revealed that former All Blacks captain Umaga would ressurect his playing career at the club after hanging up his boots last season following promotion from the second division.
Andre, 41, will take up his role on July 1.
With the club facing a quick return to ProD2 after just one season in the elite Top 14, personnel has been boosted with the signing of South African outside-half Conrad Barnard from Super 14 side Cheetahs.
Clermont’s France international scrum-half Pierre Mignoni has also signed a three-year deal while Saint-Andre will bring Sale’s French hooker Sebastien Bruno with him to the south of France.
Umaga guided Toulon into the top flight last year but the team are second from the bottom of the Top 14 table despite investing huge sums in high-profile players including Sonny Bill Williams, Jerry Collins and Joe van Niekerk.
Saint-Andre, a former France international winger, led Sale to the English championship title in 2006 and the European Challenge Cup crown a year earlier.
He arrived at the English Premiership side in 2004, having previously performed an identical role with Gloucester and in France with Bourgoin.
Saint-Andre won 68 caps for France, 34 of them as captain, and is second in France’s all-time try-scorers list with 32, behind Serge Blanco (38).
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.