Champions Toulouse are set to call on the services of teenage hooker Christopher Tolofua for the first time to fill in for injured pair Gary Botha and Akvsenti Giorgadze, manager Guy Noves said.
The 18-year-old from the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia currently plays with Toulouse's junior side and has trained with the national side.
"We've been watching him for some time but the injury crisis we're suffering is going to Expedite his arrival," explained Noves.
South African Botha has been ruled out for the season with a broken right leg.
Castres' Georgian hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze, called in as cover in the front row, has suffered a torn thigh muscle and will be out for six weeks according to Noves.
Their injuries had left France hooker William Servat as the sole specialist senior hooker but he is due to be called away on Six Nations duty after the upcoming two European Cup matches.
* Meanwhile France international fullback Maxime Medard has extended his contract with Top 14 side Toulouse until June 2012.
Medard has played for the past eight seasons with Toulouse, competing in 122 Top 14 matches and 36 European Cup ties, scoring 59 tries in all competitions, including twice in last Saturday's 51-10 win over Lyon.
The 25-year-old was the top scorer of the 2010-2011 championship and was among the World Cup side that finished runners-up to New Zealand last year.
Toulouse have now extended the contracts of four back row players after Yannick Jauzion, Clement Poitrenaud and Yves Donguy.
AFP
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