Toulouse, France – January 21, 2026
Stade Toulousain faces a challenging match against Section Paloise this Saturday as key players remain sidelined due to injury, ahead of upcoming international call-ups.
- Stade Toulousain will host Section Paloise on Saturday, January 24, in a match between the Top 14’s top two teams.
- Several key players, including Romain Ntamack and Ange Capuozzo, are currently unavailable due to injury.
- The upcoming match is strategically important as it precedes the announcement of the French national team roster for the Six Nations Tournament.
Stade Toulousain will host Section Paloise at Ernest-Wallon this Saturday, January 24, in a crucial Top 14 match between the league’s leading teams, but the team is grappling with a significant number of injuries, according to La Dépêche. The match takes on added importance as it precedes the announcement of the 42-player squad by Fabien Galthié for the Six Nations Tournament (February 5 – March 14).
Injuries Mount for Toulouse
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Romain Ntamack remains sidelined after sustaining a kidney injury during a 60-14 victory against La Rochelle on December 28, and is unable to participate in collective training or competition, with his return not expected until mid-February, La Dépêche reported. Italian wing-back Ange Capuozzo is also unavailable, having injured a finger in the same match against La Rochelle.
The recovery outlook is more positive for center Pierre-Louis Barassi, who has not played since November 15 after suffering a concussion during a French XV match against Fiji. While he continues a recovery program, contact reintegration has not yet been cleared. Uncertainty surrounds winger Dimitri Delibes, who did not participate in training after scoring during a 77-7 Champions Cup win against Sale on January 17.
Joel Merkler, hampered by back problems since a match against Lyon on December 20, and Guillaume Cramont are also unavailable, with the Toulouse staff taking a cautious approach to their recovery.
A Test Before the International Break
Despite the absences, Toulouse will rely on key players like Antoine Dupont to maintain their position at the top of the Top 14 table. The team faces an ambitious Section Paloise side in what will serve as a final test before many players depart for international duty. The challenge for Toulouse is to solidify their lead and minimize potential setbacks before players join the French national team at Marcoussis on Sunday.
Why It Matters
The timing of these injuries is particularly significant for Toulouse. The upcoming Six Nations Tournament will see a large number of players called up to national teams, potentially disrupting club form. A strong performance against Section Paloise is therefore crucial not only for maintaining their league position but also for building momentum before a period of significant player turnover. The club needs to capitalize on having its full squad available for as long as possible, knowing that the international break will inevitably impact their team composition and potentially their league performance.
