Bad news for Stade Rochelais who lost their opener for a period of about a month.
La Rochelle international opener Antoine Hastoy, injured on Sunday in Clermont, is suffering from a sprained left ankle which should keep him out of action for around four weeks, maritime coach Donnacha Ryan announced on Thursday.
The injury of Hastoy, who left his partners in the 6th minute at the Michelin stadium, is bad news for the yellow and black staff already deprived at the opening of Pierre Popelin (pubalgie) and Jules Le Bail, and for the XV from France, just over a month away from the November tour. Facing Racing 92 on Saturday, the Maritimes will be able to count either on the young Englishman Harry Glyn, or on the Samoan Ulupano Seuteni, or on the South African Dyllin Leyds, who had replaced the former Palois in Auvergne.
In addition, international back Brice Dulin, also injured in Clermont, is still complaining of his right knee. “Brice is not 100% for this weekend. He had a knee alert,” Ryan said.
Finally, uncertainty remains regarding New Zealand scrum half Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who was unable to take part in the match against ASM. “We will see tomorrow (Friday) with him if he can play this weekend,” said the Irish coach of the Rochelle forwards.
