Toulouse rest stars with Munster on the horizon

Toulouse coach Guy Noves looks to have prioritised the Heineken Cup over the Top 14 after deciding to give three of his French internationals a weekend off ahead of their quarter-final trip to Munster.

Ordinarily Noves would go in all guns blazing for a domestic clash with reigning Heineken Cup champions Toulon but, with his team in sixth place, he has opted to keep some key players fresh for Thomond Park on Saturday, April 5.

Lock Yoann Maestri, who opposed Paul O’Connell in the Six Nations decider at Stade de France, centre Gael Fickou and wing Maxime Medard have all been given the weekend off. But Noves is no fool, has plenty of strength in depth and will welcome back international wing Yoann Huget and outside-half Lionel Beauxis.