Top 14: Castres set to unveil Masoe
while double injury blow hits Toulon
29
October 2008
 Toulon’s
turbulent week continued with news that internationals locks
Santiago Dellape and Esteben Lozada have both been ruled out
of Friday’s away trip to Montauban.
Italian Dellape has been ruled out for six weeks after
injuring ligaments in his right knee and is now set to miss
all of his country’s November internationals. The
29-year-old had only just returned to the Toulon team
following a previous injury.
Argentinean Lozada has a less serious injury to his right
ankle but will still sit out this weekend’s game.
The double injury blow follows hot on the heals of
Jean-Jacques Crenca becoming the club’s first coaching
casualty after a difficult start to the season. The former
French international was sacked as forwards coach following
the 21-17 home defeat by lowly Castres at the weekend, with
youth team coach Aubin Heuber promoted in his place.
The pendulum of fortune appears to be swinging the other way
for Castres however, with confirmation that new signing
Chris Masoe will be paraded before the fans ahead of
Saturday’s home game with Montpellier.
The All Black flanker joins after completing his playing
duties with the Hurricanes in Super 14 and BPC runners-up
Wellington.
The Samoan-born international, who has 15 caps to his name,
joins a growing band of All Blacks in Top 14, with the likes
of Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher and Justin Marshall all
parading their skills in France this winter.
Down in Toulouse there could be a swift return to action for
former favourite Frederic Michalak after he flew in from
South Africa this week.
The French international fly-half has rejoined his former
team after a successful season with the Durban Sharks
culminated in their weekend Currie Cup triumph – a match in
which Michalak won widespread praise for setting up both of
his team’s tries.
Now back in France, he could be drafted in to the Toulouse
starting XV for Saturday’s home encounter with Brive as
David Skrela struggles to shake off a knock sustained in
their 26-13 win against Stade Francais.
“Michalak’s role is all linked to Skrela recovering
completely,” confirmed coach Guy Noves.
Scrum-half Kelleher should also return to the starting
line-up following a week off to recuperate after a hectic
start to the season.
Stade Francais, meanwhile, are bracing themselves for the
potential loss of Argentinean prop Rodrigo Roncero after he
was cited for ‘brutality’ during Saturday’s home defeat by
Toulouse.
The 31-year-old, who has already served a 10-day suspension
for a red card against Toulon earlier in the season, could
now miss Argentina’s November internationals if found
guilty.
He will definitely not play in Saturday’s match against
Clermont due to an elbow injury.
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