Chiliboy out for the season?

Toulouse - French rugby giants Toulouse suffered a blow on Wednesday as a source at the 19-time champions told AFP South African international hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle would miss the rest of the season because of a serious knee injury.

The 27-year-old -- capped 29 times -- ruptured cruciate ligaments in his right knee during the 16-6 Top 14 win over bottom side Biarritz last weekend.

While Ralepelle -- who has played 10 times for the four-time European champions since he joined them in October last year -- will undergo an operation in the coming days, the club said it was too early to say whether they would bring in an emergency replacement.

Toulouse have been far from their best this season and are battling to even make the end of season Top 14 play-offs.

They are presently one place outside the top six - while they have a tough away draw against Munster in the European Cup quarter-finals.