Scrum battle key as Jackman prepares for bruising return

BERNARD JACKMAN has been looking forward to tonight’s game all week and, despite all the evidence to the contrary in the RDS last Saturday, it would seem Castres have been too.

With just minutes to play in last week’s 30-3 romp, Jackman crouched down for a scrum and one sentence stood out from amid the usual clatter. The words were clear, the sentiment unmistakable. “See you next week, see you next week,” said the voice from the far trench.

Castres are out of Europe, stuck in the Top 14 relegation zone. They can’t be far away from holding open auditions for players, such has been their injury problems, but they are French and they are at home.