Springbok blow for Vermeulen

It was revealed that Toulon's bid to win back the Top 14 title will start without the services of their giant South African No.8, Vermeulen.

The veteran Bok, who missed the June Tests against France through injury, underwent surgery on a nagging groin injury – the same problem that hampered him last month.

"He'll be out for three months," a club spokesman told AFP.

Toulon said they gave no plans to recruit a replacement for the 31-year-old, capped 31 times by the Boks.

Last season's losing Top 14 finalists Toulon have come under the scrutiny of French rugby's financial watchdog in the close season and have been less active than in recent years on the transfer market.

Agence France-Presse