If Ewen McKenzie gets the coaching job at Stade Francais, he'll join a rugby club as flamboyant off the field as it is on it.

Much like I did, Ewen has an opportunity to join the French side after being shown the door by his Super 14 team. On a Sunday night in 2000, the Reds told me my services were no longer required. A week later, I found myself addressing players on a Parisian field, despite the fact I didn't know a word of French.

To say it was a culture shock is an understatement. The language barrier, the length of the season and the French lifestyle are all very different to what I was used to, but I soon learned Stade Francais also like to do things a little differently.

Team owner Max Guazzini is a flamboyant entrepreneur with a very interesting history. A lawyer by trade, Max was a pop singer who had a hit in the mid 1970s - and knows absolutely nothing about rugby. It doesn't stop him from interviewing every player that comes to the club and having the final say on recruitment. But Max is no fool and fully expects to win. And he certainly is a character.

I've been to a few pre-season camps in my day, but Stade Francais are the first to hold theirs in Cannes, on the Riviera, with Monte Carlo just up the road. On one occasion, Max and the players were socialising after a hard day's training. When a player was getting a little amorous with a lady at the open-air disco, I joked his behaviour may not have been totally professional. Max leaned in and whispered to me: "John, there is sex, and there is love - do not confuse the two." I hope the player took that advice!

Stade Francais are also well known for their attire. In 2000, it was white socks, red pants, and iridescent blue jerseys with lightning bolts on them. They have now graduated to pink jerseys with hibiscus flowers. You can't miss them!

Equally as famous is the Stade Francais calendar. It first came out seven or eight years ago and featured the players, oiled up and wearing very little. I can already see Ewen reclining on a couch wearing nothing but a smile and a strategically placed mini football! But all jokes aside, it is a huge seller throughout Europe and continues to be a cash cow.

Max is fanatical about the team and will give it every chance to succeed. Max has revived the club. After claiming their last premiership in the 1908, Stade Francais finally won another one 90 years later with Max at the helm. He's transformed it from a lower-tier team to one of the glamour clubs in Europe.

If Ewen gets the job, his sole focus will be coaching - Max will ensure he has all the tools, sponsors and infrastructure to succeed. But while he'll be at every home game, it's unlikely they'll see him at away fixtures because he doesn't like to fly. Although he is an eccentric character, Max has the players' full respect.

I was fortunate that I tasted success in my two-year stint at the club, but I've seen the other side of Max as well. When we got beaten in the European Cup final after the bell, Max was distraught, as we all were. He took it hard. He went into hiding and wasn't seen for six or seven days.

One thing Ewen won't want to experience is a home loss - it is a real loss of face. On one occasion when Stade Francais were playing Perpignan, the supporters tried to tip our bus over on the way to the ground. So Ewen, if you do get the Stade Francais job, a great adventure awaits. Bon voyage!