Toulon loses Rabah Slimani to a fractured thumb

Toulon’s difficult opening to the Top 14 has worsened with the loss of Rabah Slimani, who will miss several matches after fracturing his thumb. The 36-year-old tighthead prop was injured in last weekend’s 29-27 defeat at Castres, and examinations early this week confirmed the fracture. His return date has not yet been set.

Slimani, a former Stade Français, Clermont and Leinster player with 59 France caps, will first miss Saturday’s fourth-round meeting with Vannes at Mayol, scheduled for 16:35. His absence leaves Toulon without another experienced option in a position already weakened by Beka Gigashvili’s foot injury.

The Georgian prop underwent surgery for a fractured left metatarsal in early September and was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. He resumed running this week, but Toulon’s wider injury list also includes Judicaël Cancoriet, Rayan Rebbadj and Setariki Tuicuvu, while Gabin Villiere, Gaël Dréan, Dany Priso, Marius Domon and Mathias Halagahu remain in recovery.

Toulon have lost their first three league matches, against Bayonne, La Rochelle and Castres. They sit second from bottom with three points, leaving little room for another defeat as they seek their first result of the season. The challenge is now more difficult without Slimani in the front row.