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Walking tall: Toulon proud of their home record in the Top 14
Having flirted with relegation last season, Castres find themselves top of the Top 14 table, but face another test of their credentials on Friday with a tough trip to Toulon.
Toulon have a formidable home record at Stade Felix Mayol, and have not lost there since Perpignan beat them 32-29 on March 14 last year on their way to the title.
It is a home record that Toulon's coach and former France wing Philippe Saint-Andre is justifiably proud of and wishes to maintain as his team fight to retain their top six placing. They are presently fifth, and ten points clear of Stade Franšais.
"This (the home record) was one of my primary objectives when I arrived here (last summer from English club Sale)," said Saint-Andre.
"I wanted to impress on the players this enduring history of Stade Mayol being a fortress.
"It is easier said than done, but one tries to play an effective style, to be generous in attack, courageous, intelligent and disciplined."
However, while Saint-Andre is full of praise for Castres, conceding they are a better balanced, more powerful and mature side, he is desperate for his players not to take their foot off the pedal with a play-off place virtually within their grasp.
"Now is not the time to sit back smoke a cigar and relax eating chocolate," said Saint-Andre.
"We have been in contention for a place in the top six since the beginning of the season and it would be a crying shame to put a spanner in the works with just five games remaining."
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