Rugby:Clermont Auvergne's hand could be significantly weakened by injuries to four key players ahead of their Heineken Cup Pool 2 meeting with Leinster at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin on Sunday.
The French side have concerns over Argentine hooker Mario Ledesma, lock Thibaut Privat (both knee), outhalf Brock James (ribs) and captain Aurelien Rougerie (thigh).
The latter, it appears, is the biggest concern for manager Vern Cotter.
No chance will be taken with the France international during the week in a bid to give him every chance of lining up in the centre against his former coach Joe Schmidt’s side.
James and Privat both aggravated their injuries in the 32-25 win over Toulouse at the weekend.
The South African this morning complained of an intercostal muscle strain, while Privat only managed an hour against Toulouse because of a persistent knee complaint.
Ledesma’s injury has already required surgery and he too is set to rest for the week before a decision on all four is made on Friday.
Clermont trail Leinster by four points ahead of back-to-back meetings with the 2009 champions this month.
Leinster will host the return leg at the Aviva Stadium on December 18th.