Not too Sonny for Toulon
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:01
The season has barely begun but already French clubs are picking up injuries - including Toulon's New Zealand import Sonny Bill Williams and their Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg.
Liebenberg joined the club this season from Western Province but will be out for as much as two months after breaking his right thumb. He is to undergo an operation.
Toulon will also be without its new signing from Rugby League, Williams, who has a leg injury which is likely to keep him out for three weeks.
The 23-year-old, who controversially joined the newly promoted French Top 14 team from Australian Rugby League's Canterbury Bulldogs last month, was hurt during Saturday's draw with Brive.
Williams sparked a media storm earlier in the summer when he left Australia mid-season to switch codes and play in Europe, despite being only one year into a five-year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs dropped their legal battle to prevent the loss of their player, accepting a reported AU$750,000 (US$653,400) cash settlement.
* Perpignan will be without their veteran Argentinian lock when they face Stade Français. Rimas Alvarez-Kairelis has a knee injury.
In turn Stade Français will be without prop Sylvain Marconnet who, in a long series of injuries, has damaged his left ankle against Mont-de-Marsan. On the positive side the Paris Pinks are likely to get Juan Hernández Martín back from injury.
Castres will be without New Zealander Cammy McIntyre against Brive with an injury to his adductor muscles.
Both Aurélien Rougerie and Benoît Cabello will miss Clermont Auvergne's match with Bayonne because of shoulder injuries. The bad news may not end there are Brock James and Benoît Baby are also uncertain.
Bourgoin's flyhalf Benjamin Boyet was injured against Perpignan and could be out for several weeks.
