Toulouse injury list goes from bad to worse as third star ruled out of Champions Cup semi-final
Toulouse full-back Thomas Ramos
Defending Investec Champions Cup champions Toulouse have suffered another injury setback ahead of Sunday’s all-French semi-final at Bordeaux, Thomas Ramos becoming their latest star player to be ruled out.
Their list of casualties began with last Saturday’s knee injury to Blair Kinghorn, their Scotland international, in the Top 14 win over Castres.
Next came the midweek training ground setback for France international hooker Peato Mauvaka, whose cruciate knee ligament rupture has prematurely ended his season.
This injury headache was then compounded by Thursday’s revelation that Ramos, another of their French internationals, is also unavailable for the semi-final.
Media reports in France have outlined that a calf muscle issue will sideline the full-back from this weekend’s match and his absence could be the most hindering as it was Ramos’ penalty kicking that squeezed Toulouse narrowly past Toulon in the quarter-finals.
Juan Cruz Mallia tipped to step up
Argentinian Juan Cruz Mallia is said to be the likely replacement for Ramos at number 15 and it has also been suggested he will fill in as the team’s kicker as they look to reach the 2025 Champions Cup final that will be played in Cardiff on May 24 against either Leinster or Northampton.
