Clerc out for 'nine months'

Broken Wing: Vincent Clerc could be out until 2009

France star Vincent Clerc has been sidelined for up to nine months after rupturing ligaments in his left knee whilst on duty for Toulouse in the Top 14 on Saturday.

The speedster collapsed without being tackled during his side's 23-11 defeat to Clermont in the top-of-the-table clash at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse, with TV replays showing his knee moving out of its socket.

Post-match tests revealed the need for surgery and Toulouse coach Guy Novès said that the little wing could be out of action until 2009.

And as if defeat and Clerc's injury weren't bad enough, Toulouse also lost France flank Thierry Dusautoir with a knock to the head after only three minutes.

Clerc, who has scored 20 tries in 33 games for Les Bleus, will duly miss the rest of the season, including his side's Heineken Cup semi-final clash with London Irish at Twickenham on Saturday and France's two-Test tour of Australia in June.