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Pau were crowned ProD2 champions last night.

Two former Munster men will be in the Top 14 next season as part of one of France's richest clubs

James Coughlan and Simon Mannix helped Pau earn promotion.

JOHNNY SEXTON MIGHT be on his way home but we are still guaranteed an Irish presence in next season’s Top 14. Former Munster back row James Coughlan has had a very strong season for Pau in the ProD2 and they confirmed their promotion to the top tier of French rugby with a 31-5 win over Montauban yesterday.

Coughlan will be joined by Munster flanker Sean Dougall at the club next season, and All Black Conrad Smith is also set to join after the World Cup. Pau are sponsored by Total, the world’s fifth biggest oil company, so they have a fair amount of money to throw around.

They also have former French internationals Damien Traille and Jean Bouilhou in their ranks but Coughlan has been one of the club’s stand-out performers this year.

coughlan

Simon Mannix, who was the Munster backs coach under Rod Penney, is the Pau head coach and Coughlan spoke very positively about his leadership skills when he talked to The42 earlier in the season.

The club also reportedly tabled an offer of €500,000 per year for All Blacks out-half Colin Slade, although he has yet to agree to join.

Pau have the kind of money that makes Toulon’s comic book mogul look like he’s running a lemonade stand, and it will be interesting to see how aggressive they are in the transfer marker ahead of next season.

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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
    Favourite 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
    Favourite 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
    Favourite 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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