Off-field drama overshadowing Toulouse's Champions Cup tilt
NEWS: Antoine Dupont’s record six-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse head to Glasgow on Saturday with off-field issues dominating their preparation for the trip to Scotland.
On Monday, the French club’s lawyers and president faced a disciplinary hearing by the French national league (LNR), who run the Top 14, over the 2022 transfer of fullback Melvyn Jaminet from Perpignan.
The LNR are investigating the 450,000 euros move into a possible breach of the Top 14 salary cap, with Toulouse potentially facing a points deduction in the league with a decision expected this week.
“There will be no statement for now,” Toulouse’s lawyer Bruno Cavalie told reporters after the hearing in Paris.
“We’ll see once the decision has been made,” he added.
The Jaminet saga has hung over Toulouse for months with Les Rouge et Noir having paid 1.3 million euros to the LNR as a settlement in March.
“Crying before being hurt would be useless,” Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola said after last Sunday’s opening round win over the Sharks.
“Obviously there might be consequences.
“We will take responsibility for them as we always have done,” he added.
Their focus this weekend will be travelling to Scotstoun to face Glasgow, who started their Champions Cup campaign with a statement victory at Sale in Round One.
Superstar scrumhalf Dupont is set to feature in his third game back since a serious knee injury.
“I think they [Glasgow] are the big threat in the group,” Mola said.
“They’re a good side who have been in constant progression for a few seasons now,” he added.
