News

Lock problems in Toulouse and Paris

Wednesday 03rd December 2008

Ruled out: Patricio Albacete

Toulouse lock Patricio Albacete has been ruled out of Saturday's Round Three clash with Dragons due to a knee injury, while Stade Fran�ais could be forced to field a loose forward in the second row against Harlequins.

The Argentinean's injury is the third blow to Toulouse's preparations in the past few days. Both fly-half David Skrela and scrum-half Jean-Baptise Elissalde have been sidelined with thigh and finger injuries respectively. Byron Kelleher and Fr�d�ric Michalak will form the half-back pairing.

Loose forward Finau Maka will also be watching from the stands as he has not recovered from a ankle injury sustained while on duty for the Pacific Islands. Manu Ahotaeiloa is a doubtful starter because of a thigh niggle.

Stade Toulousain fans will however be happy to hear the news of the contract extension of French international prop Jean-Baptiste Poux, who committed to the three-time European champions until 2013.

Toulouse are not the only club struggling with injuries. Stade Fran�ais may be forced to move Italy skipper Sergio Parisse from the back row to lock when the Parisians host Harlequins at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Locks Arnaud Marchois and Simon Taylor are both doubtful starters and young second row Lo�c Charlon is not registered as a Heineken cup player.

Stade Fran�ais have suffered a number of injury set backs and will field a couple of players out of position on Saturday, as they have been obliged to do many times this season already.

Guillaume Bouss�s is expected to play at fly-half since both specialist number tens, Lionel Beauxis and Juan Martin Hernandez ,are still crocked.