Former All Black suspended by French club

Former All Black and current Pau coach Carl Hayman has been suspended after an altercation with players at the club.

Details about the altercation are scarce, but Pau announced on Saturday evening 45 test prop Hayman will be replaced as forwards coach, a role he has filled since 2016.

"Carl is moving on to a personal project which we will support as he will stay with the club until the end of June," Pau president Bernard Pontneau said in a statement.

Hayman's successor is former Brive coach Nicolas Godignon, who will assume the role next week. The coaching and playing staff currently contains ten New Zealanders, with Simon Mannix, Conrad Smith and Paul Tito part of the coaching staff and Colin Slade, Frank Halai, Tom Taylor, Benson Stanley, Peter Saili, Daniel Ramsay and Jamie Mackintosh on the playing roster.

39-year-old Hayman played professional rugby from 2001 to 2015, finishing his career in France by winning the Top 14 and three European titles with powerhouse club Toulon.

Hayman was reportedly not involved in any training sessions leading up to Pau's most recent match against Bordeaux on Saturday. Pau won the fixture 40-23, their first victory since October.

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