French star Fickou out for a month

Toulouse and France were dealt a blow ahead of a crucial European Cup match and the Six Nations respectively when up-and-coming centre Gael Fickou was ruled out for a month with an ankle injury.

The 18-year-old sustained the injury after coming on as a replacement in Toulouse's 35-14 victory over Treviso in European action on Sunday, landing badly after leaping for an up-and-under in the 74th minute.

"Verdict: 4 weeks out, twisted ankle (external ligament), that's part of the game!" Fickou said on his Twitter account.

It means the centre will miss out on a pre-Six Nations training camp with the French squad and also Les Bleus' first two matches against Italy on February 3 and Wales six days later.

For his club Toulouse, Fickou will miss out on Sunday's do-or-die European Cup final round clash at Leicester, the winner of which will progress to the knockout phase of the continent's top club tournament.

Meanwhile, Toulouse further shored up their squad on Monday when Fijian flyer Timoci Matanavou signed a contract extension through until June 2017.

Matanavou, who joined Toulouse from Top 14 rivals Mont-de-Marsan before the 2011-12 season, follows Louis Picamoles, Romain Millo-Chluski and Jean-Marc Doussain, who have all re-signed until June 2016.

AFP