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Toppling Leinster won’t help against Perpignan, warns Servat
TOULOUSE, France, Oct 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Facing the team that toppled
European champions Leinster won’t impress Perpignan in France’s Top 14 this
weekend, Toulouse forwards coach William Servat warned.
Toulouse caused a mini sensation last weekend by ending Leinster’s 10-match
winning streak in the Champions Cup with a memorable 28-27 victory to go top
of Pool 1 after two rounds.
But Servat says the inflated egos must land in time for Saturday’s visit to
Perpignan, likening a rugby game to a scrum.
“You can dominate, then get toppled any time,” said Servat, who won five
Top 14 titles as a hooker with Toulouse and two Six Nations titles with
France.
Toulouse will be without flanker Gilian Galan (meniscus), lock Richie Gray
(back), props Cyril Baille and Rodrigue Neti and inside centre Pierre
Fouyssac (knee).
Absent for the win over Leinster, flanker Francois Cros and centre Maxime
Mermoz are also “uncertain”, said Servat.
On paper Toulouse should be confident after claiming four wins and a draw
from their opening seven matches. Especially as Perpignan sit rock bottom of
Top 14 after seven consecutive losses.
But Servat added: “It’s easy to sit at a desk and compare the best team in
Europe with the worst team in the championship.
“But the reality is, rugby is a contact sport in which bravery plays a
role. And if you don’t respect your opponents, there’s a fair chance you will
slip up.
“We’ll try to make sure that doesn’t happen in Perpignan. Showing a lack of
respect is not something this club is known for.”
Toulouse also announced that back Maxime Medard has signed a two-year
contract extension with the club, just days after scoring two tries against
Leinster.
Despite their exploits in Europe, Toulouse have ground to make up, with a
six-point deficit to leaders Clermont.
– Injuries in key areas –
Clermont host Castres, who sit fifth on 19 points, in the opening fixture
of the weekend Saturday, looking to get back to winning ways after last
weekend’s 16-12 loss at La Rochelle.
That bid could be hindered by injuries in key areas, namely at fly-half, as
well as the six-week ban handed to Tongan international Maama Vaipulu for his
red card in a 29-25 European Cup win over Exeter.
Injuries to Benjamin Urdapilleta (finger) and Julien Dumora (groin), the
latter ruled out for three months, mean Castres coach Joel El-Abd is expected
to deploy Yohan Le Bourhis, who arrived from Biarritz in the off-season, in
the position.
Castres will also be without flanker Alexandre Lapandry, who underwent a
hand operation last week that sidelines him for the best part of six weeks.
Stade Francais, two points adrift in second, host defending champions
Montpellier looking to follow up on last week’s 14-9 win at Castres.
Montpellier fans were given a boost with the news that scrum half Benoit
Paillaugue ended a seven-month injury absence this week and is now back
training with the squad.
However he has yet to fully test his knee having ruptured his cruciate
ligaments, meaning Julien Tomas, brought in as medical cover at the start of
the season, will line up for Montpellier in Paris.
The visitors are expected to be without South African lock Paul Willemse
(ribs) and flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo (back) due to injury.
Both came off early in the 23-20 defeat to Newcastle last weekend and
missed training this week.
Elsewhere, Lyon face Bordeaux-Begles away looking to maintain a strong
start that has left them in third place only four points behind Clermont.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Clermont v Castres (1345), Agen v Grenoble (1700), Perpignan v Toulouse
(1700), Racing 92 v Pau (1700), Stade Francais v Montpellier (1945)
Sunday
Bordeaux-Begles v Lyon (1130), Toulon v Rochelle (1550)
BSS/AFP/MRI/0822 HRS