Multiple reports suggest that Heyneke Meyer has been removed from his role as director of rugby of French Top 14 side Stade Francais after a poor start to the season.

Meyer only joined Stade just before the 2018-19 season. He guided the club to eighth place in his first season in charge, missing out on the playoffs by six points.

His arrival also coincided with an influx of South African players such as scrumhalves James Hall and the now retired Piet van Zyl, as well as ex-Lions backs Lionel Mapoe and Ruan Combrinck and flank Hendre Stassen, who was sacked for the alleged use of a banned substance.

Stade have struggled in his second season in charge, winning just two of their nine games to date and losing seven. They are currently sitting bottom of the table and lost their local derby to rivals Racing 92 last weekend.

It is not yet certain whether Meyer was sacked or has resigned from his role. French paper Midi Olympique suggests that he and his assistants, John McFarland and Ricardo Loubscher, have been sacked.

However, South African reporters are suggesting that Meyer has decided to leave the Parisian club.

The reports come just a week after Stade owner Hans-Peter Wild publically gave his full backing to Meyer, despite admitting that he struggled to communicate with the former Bok coach.

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