A blow for Usap and the French XV: Catalan Posolo Tuilagi suffers a fractured tibia and fibula and will be out for several weeks

Serious injury for Usap second row, Posolo Tuilagi. MAXPPP – MICHEL CLEMENTZ

The Perpignan second row should miss the three November tests of the Blues against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

The French international second row of Perpignan Posolo Tuilagi probably suffered a fracture of the left tibia during the opening match of the 4th day of Top 14 on Saturday against Clermont (33-3 victory), announced the management of the Catalan club.

The 20-year-old colossus could even be operated on at the end of the day or on Sunday, said Usap general manager Bruno Rolland at half-time. Tuilagi remained on the ground for a long time after suffering a regular tackle from young Clermont hooker Barnabé Massa in the 17th minute.

The Perpignan player was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, a thumbs up to the Aimé-Giral crowd, and replaced by former Toulon player Adrien Warion. A very powerful player, Tuilagi had his first five caps with the XV of France last season during the Six Nations Tournament and the tour in Argentina.

Breakdown in the match

He should miss the three November tests of the Blues against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina. His participation in the next Tournament is also compromised. For a similar injury, the unavailability of La Rochelle hooker Pierre Bourgarit was recently estimated at between four and six months.

Perpignan lost another player to injury during the first half, their South African flanker Jacobus van Tonder, who limped off, visibly injured in the left ankle. Two Clermont players were also forced to give up their places: center three-quarter George Moala and flanker Anthime Hemery.