Stade Toulousain face an injury crisis before La Rochelle

Stade Toulousain will begin their defence of the French championship under significant pressure, with injuries leaving coach Ugo Mola short of options before the opening trip to La Rochelle. The champions celebrated their 25th Brennus title, and fourth in succession, earlier this summer, but preparations have since been overshadowed by problems in the squad.

Jack Willis will miss the match after knee surgery and could also be unavailable for the visit of Bordeaux in 10 days. Anthony Jelonch, Léo Banos and Mathis Castro-Ferreira are expected to remain out until the end of September. Marceau Marzullo is recovering from shoulder surgery, while Clément Vergé has a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee. Valentin Delpy is also dealing with a shoulder injury, and Malachi Hawkes continues his recovery from an Achilles tendon problem.

Toulouse will also be without Efrain Elias, who is with Argentina. François Cros and Alexandre Roumat remain available, with Romeo Bonnard-Martin considered for a start in the back row. Peato Mauvaka could provide cover, while academy players Guillaume Raynaud and Marc-Elie Kouassi have joined the senior group.

There are some reinforcements, with Emmanuel Meafou, Rodrigue Neti, Georges-Henri Colombe and Théo Ntamack returning. New signing Tommaso Menoncello has impressed alongside Ange Capuozzo, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos, leaving Toulouse to rely on a mix of established stars and inexperienced replacements.