Out since the start of September because of a knee injury and an operation, back-rower François Cros returned to full training with Stade Toulousain on Monday, giving Ugo Mola’s staff a (first) piece of good news a few days out from the trip to Saracens in the European Cup on Sunday in London (6.30pm).

The experienced flanker, who had not played since the first round of the Top 14, is now in contention for a place in the squad for this decisive Champions Cup match and could make his return to action, a positive signal too for France a month out from the Six Nations.

Ntamack a doubt

Romain Ntamack, on the other hand, remains a doubt for this fixture, still bothered by pain in his lower back. The France fly-half, unavailable for Toulouse’s defeat at Perpignan (30-27) on Saturday in the Top 14, has not yet recovered sufficiently to take his place on this trip to England. His status will be clarified at the end of the week.

As well as Cros, the Haute-Garonne club have had other returns to training this week, notably that of Matthis Lebel after several weeks out.