Rugby:Biarritz president Serge Blanco has placed coaches Jack Isaac and Serge Milhas on gardening leave, three days after their Heineken Cup defeat to Connacht at the Sportsground. The decision came this morning, ahead of the two sides meeting again at the Parc des Sports Aguilera on Friday.
Defeat in Galway appears to have been the last straw for Blanco, who was already critical of the side’s performance prior to the 22-14 defeat that left them trailing the Irish province by three points and Pool Three leaders Harlequins by nine.
The move could either hinder or help the team’s current form, but such turmoil ahead of the visit of Eric Elwood’s side is far from ideal for the famous French club’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Athletic director Laurent Rodriguez and director of the training centre Mathieu Rourre will take temporary charge of the team, but where exactly the move leaves Australian backs coach Isaac and forwards coach Milhas is unclear.
A Biarritz statement said the pair will be exempt from duty until January 6th, during which time a path forward for the club, which presumably includes a severance package, can be agreed.
