Fiji midfielder Josua Tuisova is set to make his debut for Racing 92 on Saturday against Bayonne after joining the club last summer.
The 30-year-old joined the Parisian side at the end of last season from Lyon and was due to join up with their squad after the World Cup.
However, the 113kg full-back suffered a knee injury against England in the quarter-finals which will keep him out until this weekend. The injury itself, which required surgery, was somewhat controversial.
The injury was the result of a tackle by England winger Tom Curry, which Racing described as a “violent, armless tackle” in a scathing statement shortly after.
The statement read: “During the match between England and Fiji in the third quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup 2023, last Sunday, October 15, Fijian Racing 92 midfielder Josua Tuisova was subjected to a violent tackle without the arms of the English No.7, which resulted in an injury to his left knee.
Race 92
Bayonne
He added: “The player will consult the opinions of specialists in the coming days to determine the duration of his absence.
“Racing 92 wishes Josua Tuisova a speedy recovery and shows him all its support during this time.”
The powerful player is set to return to the Stade Abbé-Deschamps on Saturday after being named in the starting XI by coach Stuart Lancaster.
The position will form a world-class partnership with French midfielder Gael Fico in midfield, with the Frenchman wearing the number 13 shirt.
This is a partnership that fans have been wanting to see all season, but one that still has the potential to make an impact in the Top 14 season finale. Racing currently sit in fourth place in the league with four rounds to go in the regular season. This means that Toisova still has a chance to finish his first season in Paris on a high.
