Michalak in 'untouchable' form
Triple European Cup-winner Frédéric Michalak has been described as 'untouchable' just a week before he continues his quest for yet more European glory.
The Toulon halfback was in outstanding form as the continental champions saw off fellow European Cup quarterfinalists Toulouse at the weekend.
Michalak, who picked up Europe's greatest prize with Toulon last May having already won the tournament twice with Toulouse in 2003 and 2005, scored 27 points in a 32-28 success at the Stade Felix Mayol to ensure his side head into Sunday's huge clash with Leinster on a high.
The 31-year-old crossed for the second of Toulon's two tries after playing a major part in the first and he also landed both conversions and six penalties as Toulon finished the weekend second in the Top 14 table with three rounds of the regular season remaining.
And his performance left a huge impression on his former coach and fellow European Cup hero Guy Novès, with the Toulouse boss warning 2009, 2011 and 2012 winners Leinster that the little maestro will have to be shackled if the Irish outfit are to beat Michalak to a fourth title.
"When Fred plays like he played against us, he's untouchable," said Novès, whose Toulouse team face Munster at Thomond Park the day before Toulon entertain Leinster.
"He played a great game, just like he played the week before against Clermont. When he gets that trust, he has a big impact on the game. That's a good thing for Toulon.
"He's a player we love very much in Toulouse and I prefer to be beaten because of a former Toulouse player," Noves added.
Those sentiments were echoed by Toulon backs coach Pierre Mignoni, himself a former France scrumhalf and an Challenge Cup winner with ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2007, although Mignoni refused to get carried away on the eve of the return to European competition.
The 37-year-old believes Michalak is close to being back to his very best but he admits that there is still some rough to take with the smooth when it comes to one of the world's truly maverick performers.
"He played beautifully for a second match in a row, scoring a try at a very important moment," added Mignoni.
"Fred is very positive and I'm glad that he's reached this kind of level again. He alternated between good and bad choices, though, but he hasn't got enough options around him to produce even better."
As for the man himself, Michalak won't be resting on his laurels given the quality of what awaits on the Côte d'Azur this weekend.
Leinster arrive in France on the back of a morale-boosting win over Munster that saw them move further clear at the top of the PRO12 table and they can boast a whole host of players who guided Ireland to Six Nations glory in Paris earlier this month.
"Leinster are a huge team and we will have to raise our level of play," said Michalak.
"I'm 31 and I don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore. I just want to have fun on the pitch, to have some pleasure playing, help us have a good end to the season and to win some titles."
