Toulouse international left prop Cyril Baille, who had groin surgery over the summer, is unlikely to be restored in time for the fall tests of the XV of France, his club said on Thursday.
“
He is absent for another two and a half months easily
,” said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola at a press conference three days before his team resumed in the Top 14 on Sunday at Bordeaux-Bègles.
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Considered one of the world's best specialists in his position, Baille (28 years old, 36 caps) should therefore not be able to take part in the three matches of the Blues scheduled for November against Australia, South Africa and Japan.
One of his linings on the left of the Toulouse front line, the American David Ainu'u, also suffers from adductors and will be away from the field for at least a month.
The Rouge et Noir will be deprived for their first match of the season of two other French internationals, the second or third line Thibaud Flament, victim of a sprain during an internship in the off-season, and the third line François Cros, in recovery phase after injuring a knee at the end of last season.
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One of the Toulouse rookies, scrum half Paul Graou, also had one-handed surgery on Wednesday and could be out for at least six weeks, like center three-quarter Pita Akhi, who in turn was due to undergo a knee surgery.
The second or third line Yannick Youyoutte is hit in a bicep.
Centers Santiago Chocobares and Lucas Tauzin are in the recovery phase and unavailable this weekend, like South African third line Rynhardt Elstadt and Argentinian full-back Juan Cruz Mallia, retained with their respective selections for the Rugby Championship.
