Claassens blow for Toulon

Toulon - European champions Toulon's South African scrum-half Michael Claassens will be out of action for around six weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand, the club, announced on Monday.

The 30-year-old - capped eight times by the Springboks - broke the bone in the 45th minute of Toulon's opening match of the defence of their European trophy, the 51-28 defeat of Scottish outfit Glasgow on Sunday.

Claassens, who joined Toulon from English side Bath in the close season after a six year spell there -- will miss among other matches next Saturday's European Cup pool game with Cardiff and the high-profile Top 14 clash with Toulouse on October 26.

Toulon, beaten in the French championship final last season by Castres, top the standings with Toulouse in third, although they are both on 27 points.