Rougerie's 2008 could be over

Clermont's slow start to the season has lost even more pace, with the news that international wing Aurelien Rougerie will be out of action for at least three months after sustaining a hernia injury.

Clermont's slow start to the season has lost even more pace, with the news that international wing Aurelien Rougerie will be out of action for at least three months after sustaining a hernia injury.

The Clermont captain is unlikely to feature again before Christmas, meaning he will miss both the rest of the first half of the Top 14, and the first four Heineken Cup pool matches.

Rougerie will also undergo shoulder surgery during his lay-off to repair a longer-standing problem.

It's a body blow for the club, which has lost two of three top 14 matches and faces Top 14 champions and nemesis Toulouse on Saturday.