Worth blow for Toulouse

Toulouse Olympique prop forward Brendan Worth has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The news comes as a big blow to coach Gilles Dumas, who will check on the fitness of Rory Bromley (Achilles), Eric Anselme (thigh), Damien Couturier (thigh) and Josh Lewis (back) before naming his team to face Batley.

Batley’s George Flanagan (chipped kneecap) is expected to miss Saturday’s trip to France, while Paul Mennell (groin) and Daley Williams (shoulder) will be assessed later in the week.

Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison has steered his team to six wins out of a possible nine in this year’s Co-operative Championship campaign.

Harrison said: “It’s been a very pleasing start to the season.

“We’re up there in the top four, and if we keep playing well we’ll cement our place up there. That’s what we want.”