Suffering with a lower back problem, Romain Ntamack was finally ruled out on Thursday by manager Ugo Mola. Despite an improvement in his condition after tests earlier in the week, the France fly-half was not judged sufficiently recovered to play in London, and his return is now hoped for within one to two weeks.

This latest physical setback adds to a run of absences in the Toulouse squad, already deprived of several senior men. Ugo Mola’s staff could turn to alternatives such as Thomas Ramos or Blair Kinghorn at fly-half. Some players, including François Cros, have nonetheless returned to training this week.

Romain Ntamack’s absence raises questions beyond Haute-Garonne, a month out from the kick-off of the Six Nations. The France staff are following the progress of his injury closely, in the hope of seeing him back in competition at full tilt before the international window.