Sergio Parisse blow for Stade Francais

Stade Francais have been dealt a blow after captain and number eight Sergio Parisse was ruled out for three to five weeks with a calf injury.

Parisse suffered the injury in Stade’s 20-8 victory over Bordeaux-Begles last weekend. The 34-year-old has been replaced at number eight by Willem Alberts for this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Clermont, while Remi Bonfils will captain the side in his absence.

Jules Plisson, meanwhile, has been promoted to vice-captain, with his role all the more valuable due to the fact that Bonfils is a hooker and set to go off early in the second half.

“It’s a big setback for us because he’s played really well and he’s a very good captain,” the club’s sporting director Heyneke Meyer told Agence France Presse.

“But this is not an excuse… Remi and Jules are two very good leaders, we need more than one leader and it’s a good opportunity for them.”