Brive have moved to cover the loss of injured scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Péjoine by signing Argentine international Agustin Figuerola.

Péjoine's expected six month absence - due to ruptured cruciate ligaments - combined with a calf injury to former England international Shaun Perry, has meant that youngster Mathieu Belie has started their last two games at No 9. But Brive have now signed the 25-year-old Figuerola on a one-year contract with an option for another.

Top 14 League Table

The seven-time capped international joins from Club Atletico de San Isidrio (CASI) and has the dual attraction of being able to play at fly-half too.

Another team on the lookout for a 'medical joker' is Stade Toulousain, following the serious double leg fracture suffered in training by Yann David.

The highly-rated former Bourgoin centre is likely to be out for at least six months after breaking his tibia and fibula, leaving Stade scouting around for a ready-made replacement in what is bound to be another demanding season.

Another player looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines is Clermont Auvergne hooker Willie Wepener.

The South African injured his left hand after coming on as a late substitute against Brive at the weekend and now looks set to be out of action for up to three months.

Leading try and point-scorers in Top 14

Elsewhere, it's the non-appearance of Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca which has continued to upset players and coaches at Top 14 newcomers SU Agen. The veteran international has made a habit of late appearances at the season's start, but his tardiness this year has truly irked his current club.

Agen managed their first win of the season at the weekend - beating Biarritz - and it appears that the squad is united in moving forward without their Fijian flyer. "He is not mentioned," admitted flanker Jean Monribot. "To me he is no longer part of the squad. It is built without him," he added.

'Caucau' was the top try-scorer in ProD2 last season, but it seems that even his dazzling on-field feats can't get him out of the soup this time around.

The LNR, meanwhile, is likely to cite Stade Francais' Juan Manuel Leguizamon this week after viewing television pictures of an alleged incident of eye-gouging during Saturday's loss at Stade Toulousain.

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On a happier note Castres full-back Romain Teulet has spoken of his joy and pride after passing 2,000 for the club in their Saturday win against Bayonne.

"At the time I had no particular emotion because I wanted to stay focused on the game. It was only in the changing room that I realized what I had done," admitted 'Robocop'.

Out-of-contract hooker Jawad Djoudi is set to sign for Fédérale 1 outfit Nice. The former Toulon 34-year-old should finalize terms later this week, in time to make his Nice debut in the season opener on September 12th.