Neck surgery rules out Bismarck du Plessis

Montpellier have suffered an injury blow after hooker Bismarck du Plessis was ruled out for up to two months following neck surgery.

The 34-year-old joins fellow South Africans Johan Goosen, Francois Steyn, Henry Immelman and Jacques du Plessis on the treatment table.

Springbok hooker Du Plessis, who has 79 caps, underwent surgery on a cervical disc herniation, which rules him out of action until December.

He’ll miss Top 14 matches against Racing 92 this Sunday, Agen on November 24 and Clermont on December 1 before the Champions Cup returns.