Toulon Forward Abadie Ruled Out of Clermont Clash
Toulon will be without flanker Esteban Abadie for their Top 14 match against Clermont on Saturday evening, . Abadie sustained an adductor injury, effectively ending his availability for the crucial encounter.
The news comes as Toulon prepares to face a resurgent Clermont side bolstered by the return of Argentinian internationals Marcos Kremer and Bautista Delguy, as reported in October 2025. Kremer and Delguy rejoined the Clermont squad earlier this week following their Rugby Championship campaign, bringing with them valuable experience and a much-needed injection of talent.
Clermont Head Coach Frédéric Charrier expressed his enthusiasm regarding the impact of the Pumas, stating, “These are players who come out of three months of very high-level rugby,” and noting that their return “creates stimulation in the group, it pulls everyone up.” This sentiment underscores the importance Charrier places on international experience in fostering a competitive team environment.
The return of Kremer, a defensive standout who led the Rugby Championship with 97 tackles and Delguy, who scored two tries against South Africa, is particularly timely given Clermont’s ongoing injury concerns. The team is currently navigating a backline injury crisis, which could see Delguy fast-tracked into the starting lineup.
Toulon, meanwhile, is dealing with its own personnel adjustments. Head Coach Pierre Mignoni has been strategically rotating his squad, a tactic he employed after a Champions Cup quarterfinal loss to Toulouse. Key players like Baubigny, Alainu’Uee, Serin, and Jaminet were previously named as being on the bench, while Garbisi, Villière, and Fainga’anuku are out of the lineup altogether. Mignoni’s approach emphasizes squad depth and managing player fatigue.
Adding to Toulon’s mix, veteran prop Jean-Baptiste Gros will anchor the scrum, and the halfback pairing will feature a British connection with Scotland’s Ben White and Wales’ Dan Biggar. Selevasio Tolofua, who will soon be joining Clermont, is set to start in the back row for Toulon.
A potential surprise for Toulon could be the return of Ma’a Nonu, the legendary center, to the bench. At 42 years old, Nonu hasn’t appeared for Toulon in four years, but his experience could prove invaluable in a tight contest.
Clermont will also welcome back young center Léon Darricarrère after a five-month absence due to a hamstring injury, who will partner with George Moala in the midfield. Lucas Tauzin also returns to the wing after a two-month layoff with a shoulder injury. Sébastien Bézy will start at scrum-half, taking the place of Baptiste Jauneau.
The match, a Top 14 showdown at Stade Mayol, carries significant weight with playoff implications looming large. Both teams are looking to assert their dominance in a league known for its physicality and tactical complexity. Clermont secured a victory against Toulon on , winning 27-10 at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, with tries from a penalty try, Newsome (two tries), and conversions from Plummer (two) and Jaminet. Penalties were scored by Plummer (two) and Jaminet.
The absence of Abadie adds another layer of intrigue to a match already brimming with storylines. With both teams fielding lineups impacted by injuries and strategic rotations, the outcome remains highly uncertain.
