PARIS, 15 December 2004 — France’s two first choice flyhalves Frederic Michalak and Julien Peyrelongue could miss next year’s Six Nations championship through injuries suffered last weekend in European Cup matches.
Michalak limped off with an ankle injury in the 10th minute of Stade Toulouse’s 25-12 win over Northampton on Saturday while Peyrelongue was replaced half an hour into Biarritz’s 48-17 victory at Calvisano because of a knee injury. Both players had scans on Monday. Biarritz said yesterday that Peyrelongue had damaged right knee ligaments and would be sidelined for at least two months.
Toulouse team doctor Albert Sadaca added that Michalak could also be out for up to eight weeks.
“There are no broken bones and no ligament damage but Michalak’s sprain is serious. He will have to rest for at least four weeks and full recovery could even take up to eight weeks,” said Sadaca.
The 22-year-old Michalak has been France coach Bernard Laporte’s first-choice number 10 since the 2003 World Cup.
Peyrelongue was Michalak’s understudy during last season’s Six Nations. He started against New Zealand on November 27 as Michalak switched to scrumhalf to replace the injured Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.
Former Wallaby Kafer Quits Saracens
In London, former Wallaby center Rod Kafer has quit as head coach of Saracens after just one and a half seasons in charge, the English Premiership club said yesterday.
Kafer, who replaced former All Black Wayne Shelford in August 2003, had been negotiating an extension to the two-year contract that was due to expire next May.
He stands down as head coach and director of rugby immediately, and will be replaced by his assistant Steve Diamond.
“Following discussions about extending my time at Saracens until the end of the 2007 season, I came to the conclusion that my preference was to seek opportunities elsewhere after completing my current contract,” Kafer said in a club statement.
“In light of this I have decided that it is in the club’s best interests that I stand down as head coach immediately.
“I wish the playing and management staff all the best for the remainder of the season.”
Kafer, 33, a World Cup winner in 1999, leaves Saracens lying eighth in the 12-team Premiership standings.
He has been linked with the new Perth-based Super 12 franchise in Western Australia.
Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry thanked Kafer for his efforts.
“He took over the club at a difficult time and he leaves us in a better position with a more focused coaching and playing structure,” he said.
“Steve Diamond will now take on the role of head coach and will be supported by the existing coaching staff. When Steve was appointed, it was with a view that he would succeed Rod should he take the decision to leave Saracens.”
Kafer’s time at Saracens has not been without controversy.
