Crisis-hit Top 14 club Racing-Metro have further shuffled their backroom staff, bringing in Didier Retiere as forwards coach in place of Philippe Berbizier, brother of director of rugby Pierre.

Club president Jacky Lorenzetti said that former France forwards coach Retiere and backs coach Gonzalo Quesada, who has been with the Parisian club since November, would be the team's hands-on coaching staff.

"I confirm more than ever Pierre's presence as Racing's director of rugby," Lorenzetti said of Berbizier.

"He will be backed by two on-the-pitch coaches: Gonzalo Quesada, in charge of team training and the backs; and Didier Retiere who comes in as a consultant in charge of the forwards."

Former club lock forward and ex-Fiji captain Simon Raiwalui was named manager to deal with all off-field matters.

Racing-Metro are going through a troubled time which peaked earlier this month with the sacking of No.8 Sebastien Chabal, one of the most marketable sportsmen in France, after he fell out with Pierre Berbizier and Lorenzetti.

Berbizier, a former France and Italy coach, is struggling to bring the best out of a team currently sat in seventh spot in the Top 14, a massive 28 points off leaders Toulouse but still within reach of a play-off spot.

AFP