Race against time for Stephen Jones

The French Top 14 has again produced its crop of injuries, and there are at least three top players in serious doubt of making the November internationals.

Stephen Jones of Clermont Auvergne, Wales's fly-half, looks to be out for about a month after twisting his left ankle when a team-mate fell on him in Clermont's match with Biarritz in Saturday.

Wales already has concerns that others may be joining Gethin Jenkins and Gavin Henson in the sick bay - Shane Williams, Tom Shanklin, Ryan Jones, Rhys Thomas and now Stephen Jones.

Imanol Harinordoquy, the charismatic Biarritz forward who promised so much but has been absent injured so often of late, left the field with an injured fibula. Harinordoquy was just back form suspension after being sent off in the battle with Stade Français.

Harindonordoquy was replaced by Didier Chouchan who himself left the field with an injured right ankle.

William Servat of Toulouse may just be the most serious injury of them all. The skilled, energetic hooker injured his neck against Agen over the weekend. He is to undergo further examination but fears are that he will need an operation, in which case he could be out for as long as three months.

Also injured in the Agen-Toulouse match was Fijian loose forward Aca Ratuva  who hurt an ankle and is expected to be out for three weeks.