Noves' Toulouse continue push

Toulouse guaranteed current head coach Guy Noves will be in charge for at least one more match, after the southern giants edged Oyonnax 20-19 and qualified for the French Championship semifinals on Saturday.

Noves, who is set to take over as coach of France following this year's World Cup, enjoyed a nail-biting victory thanks to five penalties from England's Toby Flood and a decisive late try from Cyril Baille.

Toulouse will now play European Cup finalists Clermont in Bordeaux next Saturday for a place in June 13 Final, while defending champions Toulon defy Stade Francais who defeated Racing Metro 38-15 in their play-off tie on Friday.

But Noves feigned ignorance over his reported impending appointment as France coach as he received a standing ovation for his final match at the Ernest-Wallon Stadium.

"The public cheered me because we are in the semis and we still have two key matches. They are delighted with that," he told Canal+ television after the game.

"I live next to Ernest-Wallon. So whatever happens I will always be there," he added after his 1,079th game with Toulouse as a player and coach in a career spanning 30 years.

According to widespread media reports, he could be named the successor to Philippe Saint-Andre as the new coach of France, after the global extravaganza in November, as soon as Sunday.

Noves, a former Toulouse wing from 1975 to 1988 and coach since 1993, has won 12 French titles, including two as a player, as well as four European Cups in a glittering career. He earned seven caps for France between 1977 and 1979.

Toulouse, the most successful team in French, are trying to extend their record of 19 national titles.

"Guy wrote a beautiful page in the history of Toulouse but the club has to continue to live," said France international wing Yoann Huget.

Absent from the final phase of the French championships since 2009, Stade Francais meanwhile relived their glory days with a stunning display against Racing Metro which keeps them in the running for a 14th title and first since 2007.

The Final is slated for June 13 at the Stade de France in Paris.

Top 14 results:

Saturday, May 30: Toulouse 20 Oyonnax 19

Friday, May 29: Stade Francais 38 Racing-Metro 15

Semifinals, June 5 and 6:

Toulon v Stade Francais

Clermont v Toulouse

Final, June 13

Agence France-Presse