Top 14 leaders Toulouse will turn their sights on seeking solace from a strong end to the French league season after their hopes of capturing a fifth European Cup rugby union title were extinguished by outsiders Edinburgh.
The French giants crashed to a shock 19-14 defeat by the Scottish region, leaving Clermont as the sole French club in the semi-finals.
Toulouse assistant coach Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, the former club and French halfback, admitted it had been a massive disappointment and the defending French champions faced a tough task away to Perpignan on Friday.
“Our play was poor,” he said. “I know what caused it: the guys are done in – some played in the World Cup, the Six Nations.
“Some, individually, fell a little to the wayside and came back with a headache. We knew this season was going to be a right pain. Everyone saw us as great because, despite everything, we managed to be among the top teams by playing good rugby at 75 per cent of the time.
“As a result of pulling on the rope, we knew it would give. It’s given way at the worst moment.”
Elissalde said his players had found themselves in a “vicious circle”.
“It’s been tough to break this negative spiral to come to this non-match this weekend with an apathetic team, reaction-less and not finding the solutions on the paddock.”
Toulouse’s cause will not be helped by the ever-growing list of injured players: Maxime Medard, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Romain Millo-Chluski, Akvsenti Giorgadze, Louis Picamoles, Vincent Clerc and Luke McAlister.
Florian Fritz and Lionel Beauxis are likely to start, however, while Australian half Luke Burgess is back in action after recovering from an injury to the arch of his foot.
In Saturday’s action, Bayonne face a crunch derby match against Biarritz, with a defeat just about making their relegation into the ProD2 a done deal.
Bayonne, relegated in 2010 but reinstated after Montauban’s financial strife, lie 13th in the 14-team league, just four points ahead of bottom club Lyon, but six points off Perpignan in 12th spot.
Racing-Metro and Stade Francais remain locked in their battle for the sixth place that will ensure play-off rugby at the end of the regulation season. Racing host Brive while Stade travel to buoyant Clermont.