Top 14 Orange
Elissalde axed by Bayonne
ESPNscrum Staff
January 16, 2012
Bayonne boss Jean-Pierre Elissalde, Bayonne training session, Bayonne, France, December 6, 2011
Jean-Pierre Elissalde has been shown the door by Top 14 side Bayonne © Getty Images
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Bayonne have sacked coach Jean-Pierre Elissalde after just six weeks in charge of the Top 14 club.

Elissalde was appointed last month after director of rugby Christian Gajan, forwards coach Thomas Lievremont and backs coach Frederic Tauzin were all "excused from work" having presided over a disappointing campaign that had seen the Basque club slump to the foot of the table.

But the former Japan coach, who also served as Bayonne boss between 2006 and 2008, has failed to stop the rot with a draw and two defeats, including one against top flight newcomers Begles-Bordeaux, in his three league games in charge leading to his exit.

Former Stade Francais boss Didier Faugeron has been handed the task of rescuing the club's season that promised much after the recruitment of a string of high-profile names including internationals Joe Rokocoko, Neemia Tialata, Cedric Heymans and Mike Phillips.

Bayonne remain in the hunt for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals thanks to a 12-6 victory over Begles-Bordeaux last Thursday that leaves them two points behind Pool 3 leaders London Wasps.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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