Toulouse's Injury Worries Mount

Toulouse are struggling with injury problems two weeks ahead of their quarter-final against Northampton. France duo Clement Poitrenaud (toe) and Xavier Garbajosa (knee) are both very doubtful for their crucial home clash with Bourgoin on Saturday.

However, it is hoped they will recover in time for their rendez-vous with the Saints at the Stadium de Toulouse on April 12.

Fellow back Nicolas Jeanjean is also in doubt for the forthcoming games - he is waiting for results on a knee scan.

In the forwards, Isitolo Maka, who it was hoped would recover from his broken ankle bone in time for the quarter-final, will not make it, neither will prop Dragos Dima who underwent an operation on a slipped disc. Cedric Soulette is also still out with a calf problem.

The good news though is that outside half Yann Delaigue is fully fit again and played in the Toulouse seconds' 53-3 victory over Pau on Sunday.

Guy Noves said, "I am worried about the my team ahead of the quarter-final.

Not because of the injuries we have but simply because of the quality of Northampton who are one of the best, if not the best team in Europe at the moment.

"They already have a very impressive team and I have learned that they have brought in the New Zealand centre Gibson as one of their extra players, so I am naturally concerned about that.

"Our first half of the season was good, but without 15 of my players during the Six Nations, the conditions are not ideal to prepare matches of great importance.

"We haven't even started proper training for this weekend's game against Bourgoin yet because the players have to recuperate after their various international games.

"If training sessions weren't important, we wouldn't have them but they are. "Having said that, at least we have a big match this weekend - just like Northampton has an important final to play so in that sense, we will be on equal terms."