Heineken Cup

Perpignan's hopes of going one better than last year's Top 14 Final appearance have been dealt a huge blow with the news that flyhalf Nicolas Laharrague faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The nature of Laharrague's injury has not yet been revealed but the club have announced that the 28-year-old will be out of action for between two to three months.

That leaves Laharrague unlikely to feature in Perpignan's opening two rounds of Heineken Cup action as the Catalans look to improve upon a disappointing recent run of form in Europe's premier competition.

Last season's runners up in the Top 14 and the previous season's French Champions, Perpignan haven't reached the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup since they arrived at the season's showpiece event seven years ago.

Beaten by Toulouse in the European Final at Landsdowne Road in 2003, Perpignan have underachieved in continental competition ever since.

Last season they fell to a surprise defeat to Benetton Treviso in Round One, effectively scuppering their chances of qualifying from a group that also included European giants Munster and English high-flyers Northampton Saints.

They have since been drawn alongside Trevsio once more this year's tournament, as well as old rivals Leicester Tigers and 2007 semi-finalists the Scarlets.

And with Laharrague expected to be unavailable for the two October clashes, Perpignan may have to turn to centre Gavin Hume or scrumhalves David Mele or Kevin Boulogne to fill the gap at flyhalf.

Club president Paul Goze has stated that he and the coaching staff will be looking to find a replacement before the start of the season but, with the French transfer window having closed last week, that player will have to either be unattached or a 'medical joker'.