Preview: Whitehaven v Toulouse

Props Ryan McDonald (arm) and David Ford (illness) are both facing up to three weeks out of action, with McDonald still awaiting results to find out whether he suffered a broken arm that would sideline him for six weeks.

Whitehaven coach Ged Stokes has doubts over six other players and is battling against a mounting injury list.

He said: “It’s going to be a major challenge for us.”

He added: “Toulouse are a good team – they showed that last year. They took a while to get used to it but they had a really strong middle part of the season.

“We know a bit more about them this time, which is a benefit, but they haven’t really got any weaknesses as far as I can see. We’re up against it but we always put in a good show when we’re facing adversity.”

Toulouse coach Gilles Dumas is likely to be boosted by the return of Constant Villegas (ankle) and Simon Worrall (groin), while Mathieu Griffi (shoulder) will be given a late fitness test.

However, hooker Martin Mitchall (dislocated elbow) is facing four weeks on the sidelines.