Wales fly-half Stephen Jones has been told that he faces major barriers at his new club, Montferrand. The 26-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Vulcans on Wednesday but has been told he joins a club that is at a crossroads.
"Montferrand haven't had the success they should have given their talent and budget," said Richard Cockerill, having spent the last two years there.
"The crowd will be very harsh if he doesn't perform."
Former England hooker Cockerill, who will return to a coaching role at Leicester at the end of the season, says his experience at the Massif Central club was mixed.
"I'd had a lot of success at Leicester before joining Montferrand, so rugby wise it was a disappointment," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"It was very difficult to settle, especially as I didn't speak any French when I arrived and Stephen will find that a problem.
"But for experience and lifestyle it's been fantastic, and if he kicks his goals and plays well the crowd will love him."
Cockerill's opinions were backed by France's New Zealand-born centre Tony Marsh, who has spent the last six seasons with the Vulcans and is now club captain. "There are a few doubts at the club and talk about cutting budgets and losing sponsors because we haven't lived up to expectations," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"This is a proud club with a long history, but we've still never won the French championship and are now struggling to stay in the first division.
"There is a huge passionate following who love their rugby, sometimes too much. You have to tune into the French lifestyle and way of doing things.
"Things could have been different in the last couple of seasons if we had an 80% goal-kicker, so Stephen will be very welcome.
"But we know he also brings a lot of other qualities to his game and we have a lot of pace out wide in players like Sebastian Viars, Aurelien Rougerie and David Bory."
 |  Who knows what will happen, but I will be giving France my best shot |
Jones is aware of the challenges ahead, having spoken to various Montferrand players before committing to the French club. "There was a definite feeling that the club had under-achieved and a determination to do better next year," said Jones.
"I had considered joining Leicester, but I wanted to experience something totally different, to take on the challenge of learning a different lifestyle, culture and language.
"Who knows what will happen, but I will be giving France my best shot."
MMIX
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