Galthie to walk out on Montpellier?

Former France captain Fabien Galthie is on the point of leaving his post as coach of Top 14 side Montpellier according to some reports.

The usually well-informed rugby publication Midi-Olympique claims that the 45-year-old - who previously coached Stade Francais and was an advisor to the Argentina national side - has failed to stem a dreadful run of form of six successive defeats, culminating in a humiliating 30-5 home loss to English outfit Bath on Friday in the European Cup.

If it comes about it would be the first reverse in Galthie's career as a coach - along with the late Eric Bechu, also his mentor, arrived in 2010 and turned Montpellier from a decent side to becoming serious title challengers to the extent they reached the 2011 Top 14 final while they also made the semifinals last season - and would pose questions over his succeeding present France coach Philippe Saint-Andre after next year's World Cup should the latter leave the role.

Galthie, who was criticised by former France coach and now head coach at Toulon Bernard Laporte for going to a friend's birthday party in South America when his side was in action that weekend, met with Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad after the Bath game.

According to the tweet on Midi Olympique's website they reached agreement for him to step down three years before his contract was due to terminate.

The six defeats have come against three sides battling against relegation and the other three in the European Cup, leaving them no chance of qualifying for the knockout stages which was one of the targets for the campaign.

Their fortunes have not been helped by France international flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc breaking his tibia in early October which has ruled him out of action till the end of January.

Galthie's forwards coach former Argentina stalwart Mario Ledesma has already been a victim of the loss of form, being fired after the defeat to Brive in November.

Galthie, who captained France to the 2003 World Cup semifinals in his last campaign for his country, expressed his frustration at the time of the Brive defeat.

"There is a feeling of powerlessness, of not succeeding and failure," he said.

"One has to assume ones' responsibilities and me at the forefront of that.

"We are bored. We are not happy, and are not making other people happy.

"I am sad for the board, for the sponsors and for the president who do everything possible so the club can be a great and beautiful side."

AFP