This is news that Ugo Mola would have done well. Already deprived of a good part of his workforce due to the autumn tour, the Stade Toulousain coach lost one more element on Sunday. Released within half an hour of play during the defeat of the reigning French champions on the lawn of Racing 92 during the closing match of the 9th day of the Top 14, Richie Arnold will miss several weeks of competition. Indeed, according to information revealed by La Dépêche du Midi, the Australian second-line suffers from a fracture to a forearm according to the results of examinations recently passed. An injury that will require a period of rest estimated at one and a half months, or six to eight weeks. As a result, Richie Arnold missed at least the next two days of the Top 14 as well as the start of the Champions Cup at Stade Toulousain, tenant of the European title.

28 ‘Exit #ARNOLD # R92ST pic.twitter.com/w0pJeEwJfN

– Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) October 31, 2021

Mola in need of solutions without Ri.Arnold

An injury that falls at the worst time with the workforce of the Stade Toulousain which finds itself clearly weakened at the second-row position. Indeed, Richie’s twin brother, Rory Arnold was selected with Australia’s fall selection for touring matches. A case that recurs with Thibaut Flament, who was requisitioned by Fabien Galthié and his staff for the matches against Argentina, Georgia and New Zealand. Said, Ugo Mola only has three second-line specialists left at his disposal with Iosefa Tekori, who recently had his suspension reduced by one week, Emmanuel Meafou and Joshua Brennan. Or, for the first cited, the return to training is very recent after a foot injury at the end of last season. The Toulouse staff could then have to improvise in the coming weeks in a crucial position.