French rugby union club Toulon says Australia back Drew Mitchell needs an operation for a groin injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Mitchell, 32, who has scored 34 tries in 70 test matches – including 14 in rugby world cups – was part of the Wallabies side that reached last year’s World Cup final, losing to New Zealand.
Toulon said in a statement on Thursday that Mitchell – who can play at winger or fullback – has been hampered by a groin problem “for several months” and will have the operation “over the next few days” in order to be fresh for next season.
The operation rules Mitchell out of Australia’s three-test home series against England in June.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Reds - CFS, Nabuli , neither test standard, Hunt for F/B Tahs - Folau and Horne test standard Brumbies - none test standard Rebels - Hodge very green but potential, English not test standard, Naivalu in September, Harris not good enough Force - DHP and Morahan 5 players of good enough standard to cover 2 wing and 1 f/b position. Of those only 1 specialist winger, 1 a converted centre, 3 others f/b.
Bakkies
Guest
It will be Horne and AAC. Naiyavaro is coming back to Australia but hasn't officially signed
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Cant believe im saying this but I bloody hope for a miracle combo for the ausies and a run of epic good luck in the coming 4 weeks.. Bar the Warratahs crusader game off course..keeping the status quo and all. But seriously. I love playing against ausies. I sincerly dislike the bloody english. And cant have eddy come prancing about like a bloody pre-madonna So gear up and thrash those pommies U raging Wallabies :)
Markus
Guest
Shipperley out for season. Cam Crawford who I thought was looking good this season now out for 4 months. The winger list is looking pretty slim.
Rory
Guest
It was the match against Clermont, I believe.
Rory
Guest
I watched the match on TV when he injured that groin and had to replaced. He was obviously in some serious discomfort.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Gits is injured
ken
Guest
Well Peterk this is even more interesting ... No Beale No Mitchell No Toomua No Tomane No Speight No Kingston No Naiyaravoro No Cummins Is GITS Fit yet ? 3 weeks till first test. . Chiecka will go with .. 11 Horne 12 Gits 13 TK 14 Morahan/DHP/Shipperly ?? ( It`s time to put their hand up next two weeks to say " pick me cheicka" for these 3 ) 15 Folau CLL or Kerevi 12 back up
Shane D
Roar Rookie
It's not a scam. It's just the way things work in French rugby. Players get the option of having an operation now & being 100% next season rather than risk the clubs investment by playing for their country. Going to see people blame Toulon but I don't think that Mitchell would have been taken into surgery at gunpooiint.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Tomane and DHP chosen ahead of Mitchell anyway. If Tomane injured then Horne. Agree Mitchell would be good for injury backup. I am sure Cheika would get the truth from Mitchell if he was actually having an op.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Sure looks like eh Darwin Stubbie... and the frequency of which is only going to increase!
len
Guest
He is no loss to the WALLABIES.. He is 4 years past his best
Paul
Guest
I haven't been watching the English premiership, but I note that of all people Cooper Vuna is scoring a lot of tries this last season.
Sailosi
Guest
It would be great if Peter Betham would return. He's been incredible for Leicester -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
tsuru
Guest
Hopefully this is not some scam by Toulon to prevent Mitchell playing for the Wallabies. As much as I'd prefer to have us use players from super rugby, the winger cupboard is pretty bare right now. Speight, Cummins, Tomane, Naiyaravoro, Kingston unavailable. Now Mitchell. English too? Luke Morahan must fancy his chances. I'm just waiting for someone to suggest that Cheika should put Hooper on the wing.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
and so the club v country game begins ... happens all the time in football and this will become a common occurance outside of W Cups