TOULOUSE FORWARDS LOUIS Picamoles and Census Johnston have emerged as injury doubts for the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Munster in Thomond Park this coming Saturday.
The France international No. 8 and Samoan tighthead prop were both withdrawn during their side’s 32-28 defeat to Toulon in the Top 14 on Saturday evening. While Toulouse head coach Guy Novès refused to rule either player out of the trip to Limerick, he did admit to some concern.
Picamoles sustained a hip injury and was replaced in the 53rd minute of the encounter in Marseille, with Novès detailing that the powerful back row “received a blow to the iliac crest.” [The iliac crest is the curved ridge at the top of the hip bone.]
More worryingly, Johnston was stretchered off the pitch in the 36th minute, wearing a neck brace. Novès was swift to underline that those had been precautionary measures, with his heavyweight prop having suffered a shoulder injury.
No time frame for recovery has been outlined at this stage, as both players are set to undergo further tests in Toulouse this morning. With an injury such as Picamoles’ – deep bruising around the hip bone – recovery can take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on pain levels upon returning to training.
If Picamoles is ruled out, 22-year-old Gillian Galan would be expected to start at No. 8, who can be an equally destructive ball carrying presence. Yohan Montès has been the back-up to Johnston at tighthead this season for Toulouse.
Flanker Yannick Nyanga, only just back from a groin problem, was also substituted by Toulouse in the 51st minute and was spotted with an ice pack around his right ankle as the game headed into the closing stages.
Toulouse expect Luke McAlister to be fit to start against Munster, after the Kiwi out-half sat out Saturday’s loss with a back injury.
The only injury issue that arose from the game for Toulon was a suspected shoulder ‘stinger’ for hooker Craig Burden. Coincidentally, it appeared that the South African hurt himself when unleashing the hit that led to Picamoles being forced off.
Burden was replaced by Jean-Charles Orioli in the 52nd minute.
Toulon’s injury concerns this week: Jonny Wilkinson [thigh], Craig Burden [shoulder], Martin Castrogiovanni [ribs], Bakkies Botha [fractured forearm in January], Andrew Sheridan [neck], Chris Masoe [knee] and Ali Williams [biceps].
Frédéric Michalak was instrumental in Toulon’s victory as he stepped in for the injured Jonny Wilkinson at out-half, although Toulouse felt a 65th minute yellow card for openside flanker Akapusi Qera was the real turning point.
With the scores tied at 22-22 in a collision-heavy encounter, the former Gloucester back row was binned for using his hands in a ruck, and Toulon benefited from the numerical advantage to score a penalty, try and conversion through Michalak.
Toulouse played their part in an entertaining Top 14 fixture, opening the scoring with a 5th minute try from Jean-Marc Doussain after a clever offload from Florian Fritz. A sharp half-break from Michalak allowed Toulon to create their first try, with Drew Mitchell selflessly putting Maxime Mermoz over in the 19th minute.
The remainder of the points in the clash came from the boots of Michalak and Toulouse out-half Lionel Beauxis, who also added a languid drop-goal. Both teams demonstrated their physical power in what was a very evenly-matched bout.
Steffon Armitage was a stand out performer at No. 8 for Toulon, from where he carried the ball strongly and proved a menace at the breakdown. For Toulouse, Picamoles was a brute before going off, while Hosea Gear and Joe Tekori were dangerous in attack.
The result leaves Toulon second on the Top 14 log, while Toulouse remain in sixth.
