The China Mail - Off-field drama overshadowing Toulouse's Champions Cup tilt

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 full-back 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 last Friday.

Superstar scrum-half 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.

- Alldritt criticism -

The other highlights include Leinster's visit to Leicester on Friday, Munster hosting Gloucester and La Rochelle's daunting trip to the Stormers.

La Rochelle's game in South Africa comes days after captain Gregory Alldritt criticised the tournament due to sides fielding second-string outfits, with the No. 8 set to be rested for the game in Gqeberha.

"It's different," Alldritt said after last Saturday's win over Leicester.

"There's not the same appeal as when it was called the Heineken Cup (1995-2014).

"Obiously going to South Africa is difficult but now it's in place.

"So, either you suffer it, or you experience it fully," he added.

English Prem champions Bath head to three-time winners Toulon the pick of Sunday's game having underlined their status as title contenders by hammering Munster last weekend.

Their hopes on the French Riviera will be hindered however with their England tight-head prop Will Stuart expected to be out until the end of the season with an Achilles injury.

"It's gutting really, he's such a big part of what we do and what we've achieved," Bath head coach Johann van Graan said.

"The positive out of that is he's got an amazing group of staff and players and family around him and we'll go through that journey with him every step of the way," the South African added.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Pool 3: Leicester (ENG) v Leinster (IRL) (2000)

Saturday

Pool 1: Clermont (FRA) v Sale (ENG) (1515), Sharks (RSA) v Saracens (ENG) (1515), Glasgow (SCO) v Toulouse (FRA) (2000)

Pool 2: Munster (IRL) v Gloucester (ENG) (1730)

Pool 3: Stormers (RSA) v La Rochelle (FRA) (1300)

Pool 4: Bordeaux-Begles (FRA) v Scarlets (WAL) (1730)

Sunday

Pool 2: Castres (FRA) v Edinburgh (SCO) (1300), Toulon (FRA) v Bath (ENG) (1515)

Pool 3: Harlequins (ENG) v Bayonne (FRA) (1300)

Pool 4: Northampton (ENG) v Bulls (RSA) (1515), Bristol (ENG) v Pau (FRA) (1730)

C.Smith--ThChM