Top 14: Mixed news for
Toulouse; Blanco lays down the law at struggling Biarritz
16 December 2008
Top 14
leaders Toulouse had mixed news ahead of Saturday’s clash
with basement club Mont-de-Marsan.
The
in-form defending champions will have to make do without
David Skrela for up to a month after an MRI scan confirmed
the international fly-half had torn a thigh muscle.
Frustratingly for Skrela it is a repeat of the injury he
sustained while playing for France against Australia in
November. He was only eight minutes into his comeback –
against Newport Gwent Dragons on Saturday – when he had to
be replaced.
Skrela’s
absence, combined with a holiday for Byron Kelleher and an
injury to Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde, means that Freddie
Michalak is being lined up to play scrum-half at the
weekend, with South Africa Gaffie Du Toit stepping in to the
fly-half role.
But on a
more positive note long-term absentee Vincent Clerc came
through the latest stage of his comeback unscathed at the
weekend and could be included in the squad to face Les
Montois.
The
international winger has been absent since March following
torn knee ligaments, but managed nearly an hour for the
Toulouse Espoirs at the weekend.
“I’ve
been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said a
relieved Clerc after the match – against Montpellier
Espoirs.
“My goal
was to come back before Christmas, without fixing a date.
That’s done. It didn’t go too badly. I felt quite good and
didn’t feel any pain, so I’m happy.
“I
didn’t do anything fancy, I’m getting my confidence back. I
really enjoyed myself and can’t wait to play again, even if
it’s with the Espoirs,” he added.
Meanwhile, over in Biarritz new president Serge
Blanco has wasted no time making his feelings clear after
returning to the club he calls home.
The
French legend, who rejoined Biarritz after a 10-year spell
as president of the LNR, has questioned the players’ worth,
attitude and futures after watching them lose to Cardiff
Blues at the weekend.
The
defeat was their sixth in succession, their third on the
trot at home and also sent them crashing out of this year’s
Heineken Cup.
Now,
according to reports in the French press, Blanco has said
enough is enough and is threatening to cancel and terminate
a number of player contracts.
“My job
is to say ‘you stay, you go’,” said Blanco. “Everything is
discussed in life, even the contracts. It would be dishonest
not to say these things. The players need to hear the
truth,” he added.
It appears the truth may be unpalatable to
some, with error prone full-back Benjamin Thiery, winger
Jean Baptiste Gobelet, flanker Mohammed Dridi and South
African prop Eduard Coetzee rumoured to be among a group of
players now being herded towards the exit.
And just
to make matters worse, the Basque club now face four
consecutive away games, starting with a tough trip to
Montauban on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Leicester Tigers scrum half Harry Ellis is
in hot water following an alleged dangerous tackle on Dan
Carter in Sunday’s Heineken Cup match against Perpignan.
The
England international appeared to deliberately lift Carter
before dumping him head first and has now been cited by
match commissioner Iain Goodall.
Ellis
escaped punishment at the time but Goodall’s report says the
scrum-half’s actions warranted a red card and he could now
face a lengthy spell on the sidelines if the ruling goes
against him.
Clermont’s Jamie Cudmore is also
facing a hearing following his red card for punching Munster
captain Paul O’Connell at the weekend.
The
Canadian international, who has history in this department,
is currently suspended from all tournaments until the ERC
disciplinary committee reviews the incident.
Dax
lock Mickael Bert has also been cited for an alleged punch
against London Irish in Thursday’s European Challenge Cup
match.
Perpignan, meanwhile, are reported
to have nailed down international Damien Chouly with a
contract extension until 2012. Talks are also ongoing with
Scottish scrum half Chris Cusiter.
Finally,
no day is complete without mention of Toulon and
today’s nugget is another transfer rumour. This time it’s
Clermont scrum-half Pierre Mignoni who is apparently on
Mourad Boudjellal’s hit-list, according to L’Equipe.
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