British and Irish Lions

Montpellier, who include 2005 Lion Ollie Smith in their ranks, have picked up just four league points so far in 2009, losing six of their last eight championship games.

They sit ninth in the Top 14 standings and are slipping further away from their goal of qualifying for the Heineken Cup.

After a meeting from the board of directors on Monday and a vote amongst the players yesterday, club president Thierry Pérez has decided to relieve Nourault and Hyardet of their duties.

The duo will have to undergo interviews if they wish to remain at the club and will no longer be involved in first-team activities if they are kept on.

Perez and Nourault have a close relationship, with the latter having been in charge at Montpelllier for a decade and helping to make Montpellier a Top 14 force after previously being a Pro D2 outfit.

However, the president admitted that results and the field had to be put before friendship and that action was therefore needed sooner rather than later.

"A new page has turned for the club," said Pérez.

"Friendship is one thing, but reality and the club's ambitions are others."

"It's above all a question of atmosphere. The players no longer have confidence in them."

No appointment of a head coach will be made this season, with team manager Denis Navizet selecting the side along with Pascal Mancuso.

Training will be taken by Jean-Philippe Lacoste (attack), Warren Britz (defence) and Didier Bès (scrums, forwards).

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.