Former All Black resigns as sporting director of Pau

Former New Zealand international Simon Mannix has resigned as sporting director of Pau, three days after the Top 14 club were beaten 71-21 by La Rochelle.

Pau have slipped to 11th in the table after losing six of their latest seven league games, with the most comprehensive of those defeats coming in La Rochelle's 10-try triumph on Saturday.

Mannix, who won one All Blacks cap as a player, has now decided to vacate a post he had held for five years.

"In view of the latest performances, I think it is better for the club to consider a change that could lead to positive results," the former Racing 92 and Munster coach said in a statement posted on the club's website.

Pau confirmed that Nicolas Godignon and Frederic Manca would take charge of the team for the remainder of the season.