Toulouse backs coach Jean-Baptiste Elissalde on Monday slammed the “absurd” situation whereby the reigning Top 14 champions will have to play at least ten of 26 matches this season without their internationals.
French rivals Perpignan and Clermont will also be hampered by the loss of their internationals who will be out of club action for months due to the World Cup, which runs from September 9 to October 23.
“It’s absurd ... but that’s how it is. We knew this and it’s a challenge for us,” said Elissalde, adding that such a situation would be unthinkable in football.
“If you asked the big football teams to play without their internationals for 10 or 11 matches they wouldn’t do it, or they’d pull a long face,” said Elissalde, who pointed out that Toulouse have a minimum of 10 and maximum of 17 internationals tied up.
“It’s going to be complicated. Maybe we won’t see Toulouse in the position where they are used to being,” he said, adding: “I hope that it will allow some young players to develop and some older players to stamp their authority on the group.”
The Top 14 season kicks off on Friday.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 