Stade Toulousain: around twenty absent, Romain Ntamack and Santiago Chocobares present… The “red and black” have resumed training

The time has come for the recovery at Ernest-Wallon. After two weeks of vacation, Stade Toulousain returned to training this Monday, in order to prepare for the reception against Perpignan on Saturday. And there was obviously a lack of people since the “red and black” are currently deprived of 15 internationals: Peato Mauvaka, Julien Marchand, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Alexandre Roumat, Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos, Pierre-Louis Barassi and Matthis Lebel are with the Blues, Juan Cruz Mallia and Efrain Elias with Argentina, Blair Kinghorn with Scotland and Ange Capuozzo with Italy.

Absences which add up to a well-stocked infirmary. Cyril Baille, in the recovery phase, returned to the Pink City after 15 days spent at Cers de Capbreton. He continued the races alone, his recovery being hoped, without certainty, for the start of the Champions Cup on December 8 against Ulster. Affected in a shoulder, Richie Arnold, missed for the reception of Usap, has not yet received the medical green light to resume collective training.

Ditto for Joshua Brennan, whose orbital floor suffered in Bayonne before the holidays and who is in adapted recovery. Returning from Marcourssis with an ankle injury, Paul Costes has undergone reassuring examinations but should not be absent for too long. For his part, Alban Placines is expected in training mid-week but will perhaps be too tight to apply.

In terms of good news, Romain Ntamack (calf), who returned last week individually, was present and is claiming a place in the group. Ditto for Santiago Chocobares, whose knee affected at the end of the Rugby Championship with the Pumas was heavily strapped.

Finally, before leaving on loan to Soyaux-Angoulême, Léo Labarthe will spend a final week at Ernest-Wallon given the deficiencies in the second line position.