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Noves is one of only two people to have four European Cup medals. Billy Stickland/INPHO

The Godfather of European rugby might take the job he has always been destined for

Guy Noves said he was flattered to be one of the people considered to be the next French rugby coach.

NON-FRENCH RUGBY fans are often puzzled as to why Toulouse coach Guy Noves has never managed the French national team. Noves has won nine Top 14 titles and four European Cups in his 22 years in charge of Toulouse, which makes him by far the most qualified man to have never had the job.

Noves says he turned down the role before Philippe Saint-André took over in 2011 and before that the French union went for… ahem, how can we say this…. more eccentric characters like Bernard Laporte and Marc Lievremont.

The job will be available after the World Cup and a task-force has been set up to hire the right man (Serge Blanco has a spot on the committee because, well, Serge Blanco is like that Lord of the Rings eye who hawks over French rugby).

Former French captain and Bordeaux-Begles head coach Raphael Ibanez is the favourite to take over from Saint-André but speaking to the French media, Noves appeared to entertain the idea of taking the job.

“I never said I wasn’t interested,” Noves said in quotes reported by ESPN.

“I’m pleased to hear that Guy Novès is one of the people who is in contention to take over as France coach. I was offered the job four years ago. At that time I refused for strictly personal reasons. Now I’d say the door is ajar. We’ll see later.”

It’s no surprise that Noves is open to making the jump this time around. Toulouse haven’t won a trophy since 2012 and their campaign started disastrously this season before Noves turned things around and got his side back into the Champions Cup places in the league.

It would certainly be interesting to see what Noves could do as an international coach but it would be really strange to see someone other than than 61-year-old calling the shots on the Toulouse sideline.

Like Man United after Fergie left.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 2:32 PM

    Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season

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    Mute Colin Webber
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    May 18th 2015, 6:24 PM

    O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.

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    Mute Mark Lawlor
    Favourite Mark Lawlor
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    May 18th 2015, 2:31 PM

    He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 6:56 PM

    Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think

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    Mute David Davidson
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    May 18th 2015, 4:27 PM

    That pop pass from O’Brien

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    Mute Irish Underage Rugby
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    May 18th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.

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    Mute Cian Walker
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    May 19th 2015, 4:02 AM

    It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.

    It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.

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