Six Nations winner ruled out of Glasgow trip as 'exceptional' Scotland star praised after Champions Cup win
Pierre Mignoni will be without the France international for the rest of the season including Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter final at Scotstoun.
Glasgow Warriors will play their first ever home quarter final in rugby’s Champions Cup after beating Vodacom Bulls 25-21 in a thrilling Round of 16 tie at Scotstoun.
Their opponents for that match, which will take place this Saturday, are French heavyweights Toulon. The three times winners of the competition overcame DHL Stormers in their own knockout match with a nervy final score of 28-27.
Scotland scrum half Ben White crossed the line for the first try of that match to get his team off to a strong start. Afterwards, Toulon head coach Pierre Mignoni was full of praise for the 27-year old.
Toulon head coach praises ‘exceptional’ Scotland scrum half Ben White after Champions Cup win
Speaking on his half-back pairing of White and fly half Tomás Albornoz, Mignoni said (translated from French): “Tomás Albornoz? He was immense, he played a tremendous match. I say this because he's often questioned. I don't question him. He's experiencing some of the difficult circumstances we're in and he's always lives up to expectations.
“Today, he and Ben White were exceptional. Ben White was exceptional! He's an international-level player, and he showed that again today.
“These are players who need to adapt. Tomás Albornoz doesn't know the Top 14, he doesn't know his teammates, he's still finding his feet. He can do even better, he's a young player and I'm sure he'll continue to grow in his role.”
Glasgow quarter-final opponents have key player ruled out
Toulon were given a real test when they eventually overcame the Stormers in their Round of 16 match. However, it appears that victory and their progression to the tie at Scotstoun this weekend has come at a significant cost.
French international prop Dany Priso was unable to see out the victory, having come on as a 51st minute replacement for Kyle Sinckler at tight-head. He is expected to miss the trip to Glasgow this weekend but the news is even worse for Mignoni’s side.
The two time Six Nations winner, capped 18 times by Les Bleus, reportedly ruptured his Achilles tendon in the final minutes of the game. That will not only prevent him playing any part in the quarter finals but will almost certainly rule him out for the rest of the season and potentially beyond.
Glasgow didn’t come through their own tie unscathed with George Horne forced off and it remains to be seen how long the Scotland scrum half will be unavailable. Warriors were already without: Gregor Brown (hamstring), Alex Craig (foot), Scott Cummings (calf), Jamie Dobie (shoulder), Nathan McBeth (ankle), Kyle Rowe (hip), Charlie Savala (knee) and Tavi Tuipulotu (knee) for the match against the Bulls.
Glasgow Warriors home Investec Champions Cup tie against Toulon takes place this Saturday, April 11 at Scotstoun Stadium. The match is scheduled for a 3pm kick off and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports.
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