Just some of the unavailable players |
by Mark Hall
The injury crisis continues unabated with Rory Bromley missing out with a knee injury and Cédric Gay, who was taken to Keighley hospital for observations after the defeat at Cougar Park last week. Matt Griffi returns though, as does Yoan Tisseyre after injuries, but with the long trip up to Barrow, and Jamie Rooney on the opposing team, Toulouse face a mighty task to get anything from this week's game. Here we preview the action. |
Four games left: Barrow, Widnes, Leigh and Halifax doesn't make good reading when we look at the injury list and assess the performance at Keighley last weekend. Too many people didn't seem to know their tasks, and with departing Nathan Wynn carrying much on his shoulders, the deficiencies were evident, even after Olympique went 26-18 up late in the game only to surrender the lead and lose by the narrowest of margins.
The forwards named seem to have a solid look about them, even with the playmaker and petit general, Martin Mitchell missing from the squad. Martin is the kingpin when he plays and much of what he does, leading the forwards, marshalling the team, leaves Nathan Wynn free to express himself with Rory Bromley keeping a watchful eye from full back. All seems well with these in the team and Olympique can be a match for anyone. However, take those two out of the equation, as will be the case at Barrow, and Toulouse seem to struggle. Late on in the game at Cougar Park, this showed, with Nathan virtually having to coach the team from on field.
But enough of that. The starting six should be Brendan Worth, Jérôme Gout, Matt Griffi, Kevin Larroyer, Eric Anselme and Yoan Tisserre. Coming off the bench I see Antoni Maria and Romain Mencarini. "Menca" has had a good season, despite injuries, and goes about his job quietly and confidently, the workhorse any team needs, and a great lad to boot.
With Nathan at scrum half and Sylvain Houlès at stand off, there seems to be a bond forged there. Full back; you tell me? William Barthau coming in from the Dragons on a dual registration deal is the most likely having played Super League in that position. Seb Payan and Clément Bienès are likely to start on the wings. Centres: Vincent Duport, playing the games out before his departure to the warmer climes of Perpignan and the Dragons, and Seb Planas who needs a big game to make up for his colossal error a week ago. Yohann Gigord, Bruno Ormeno and Remi Vignau are also included in the 18, so we wait and see the final make up of the team. Although not shown on the injury list, Teli Pelo and Carlos Mendes Varela miss out. It maybe that they are unable to travel due to work commitments, which is a shame because Teli has come on in leaps and bounds this season and Carlos has had some good games, along I must admit with some stinkers, but he has been the match winner on more than one occasion, his 80 metre try at Batley showing what the lad is more than capable of.
A long trip from their base in Manchester, the flight over from Toulouse and the injury list make me think that this may be a mountain to climb for Olympique. Even with a full team, as they had last season for the game, this match would be difficult enough, but I see us getting nothing from it, not even a bonus point, and believe me, it hurts to give that scenario. Also that man Jamie Rooney, who played his first Barrow game against us last season and tore us to pieces, has to be added to the list of things against Toulouse. Barrow by 16 in the 6.30pm kick off at one of the outposts of Rugby League. But what do I know eh?
TOULOUSE: Sébastien Payan, Sébastien Planas, Vincent Duport, Nathan Wynn, Brendan Worth, Mathieu Griffi, Eric Anselme, Antoni Maria, Jérôme Gout, Sylvain Houlès, Yoan Tisseyre, Romain Mencarini, Bruno Orméno, Clément Bienès, Kevin Larroyer, Yohann Gigord, William Barthau, Rémi Vignau.
BARROW: Gary Broadbent, Andrew Ballard, Anthony Blackwood, Liam Harrison, Andreas Bauer, Jamie Rooney, James Coyle, Brett McDermott, Nathan Mossop, Andy Braceck, Ned Catic, Paul Noone, Zeb Luisi, Mike Knowles, Keal Carlile, Martin Ostler, Jamie Butler.
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