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A day after European Champions Toulon lost Paul O’Connell to retirement the club learned it will also be without another second-rower for a lengthily period. USA forward Samu Manoa is out for three months, complicating Toulon’s campaigns in both the Top 14 and European Champions Cup competitions.
Manoa re-injured his knee this past weekend playing a friendly match for Toulon against South African Super Rugby franchise the Sharks. In rupturing a ligament Manoa is expected to undergo surgery, placing uncertainty over the role of the 15-time capped Eagles forward for the club’s remaining activities this season.
The 30 year old Manoa has held down a starting spot in the Toulon second-row all season with French internationals Romain Taofifenua and Jocelino Suta in addition to Georgian Konstantine Mikautadze battling it out to partner him in the second-row.
With Manoa out until May the trio, together with the highly promising Thibault Lassalle, will need to step up for Toulon to reach the Champions Cup Semi Finals. Toulon will face Racing 92 away at the Stade Yves du Manoir on April 10 and, if successful, play in a Semi Final on the weekend of April 22-24.
Manoa should be fine to return in time for a potential Champions Cup Final appearance. Lyon will host the decider on May 14. The club is considering contracting a medical joker to cover the loss of O’Connell and Manoa though Georgia captain, Mamuka Gorgodze, may well be used in the position as he was in the past for his previous club, Montpellier.
