Three injured France internationals return to training

Toulon welcomed a trio of injured France internationals back into training this week as they prepare for their trip to face Pau in the Top 14 on Saturday.

Scrum-half Baptise Serin, winger Gabin Villiere and fullback Melvyn Jaminet were all seen in training, as the three-time European champions shared photos on social media on Tuesday of their session.

All three have not featured so far in this year's Guinness Six Nations, with varying issues.

The 29-year-old Serin was tipped to be one of the players that would vie to take Antoine Dupont's blue No9 jersey while the former captain focusses on sevens, but underwent shoulder surgery in December and was expected to be out for four months. Though he was seen in training, a return any time soon would be unlikely given his original prognosis.

Villiere, meanwhile, failed to make Fabien Gatlhie's squad for the Six Nations, and injured himself soon after missing out in the Investec Champions Cup clash with Glasgow Warriors.

Jaminet did make Les Bleus' Six Nations squad, but suffered an injury just days before the Six Nations while on duty with Toulon in a standout performance against La Rochelle.

Though Serin is still likely to be out for some time, the returns of Villiere and Jaminet could be imminent, with the latter providing a boost to Galthie for the back end of the Six Nations.

Toulon will be looking to bounce back from two defeats in a row, to Bordeaux-Begles and Castres, in the Top 14 when they visit the Stade du Hameau on Saturday.