Toulon winger Vincent Clerc suffers fresh injury blow as he ruptures left Achilles
Tuesday 10 January 2017 15:20, UK
Toulon winger Vincent Clerc faces a battle to resume his playing career after undergoing surgery on a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
The 35-year-old, who suffered the injury during Sunday's 30-6 Top 14 loss to Clermont Auvergne, had only recently resumed playing after undergoing surgery on his right Achilles tendon in September.
"Vincent Clerc is seriously injured," Toulon said in a statement, estimating the French international would be sidelined for "four to five months".
France coach Guy Noves, who is also Clerc's father-in-law, lamented the injury.
"On a sports level it's a drama for him," said Noves. "He returns and re-injures himself again. It's true that it's very complicated (but) he'll bounce back, he has to be given time."
Clerc has been capped 67 times by France and his 34 Test tries rank second in the nation's history behind legendary full back Serge Blanco.
He remains the top scorer in the European Cup competition with 36 tries, three ahead of former Leinster great Brian O'Driscoll and five ahead of Saracens winger Chris Ashton.
