France and Toulouse star Peato Mauvaka potentially out until 2026

France and Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka has been ruled out of Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final and “several months” with a knee injury, his club have confirmed.

According to a report from Actu’ Stade Toulousain on X, the 28-year-old ruptured his cruciate ligaments on Tuesday during Toulouse’s preparations to take on Top 14 rivals Bordeaux-Begles at the Matmut Atlantique in their bid to defend their title.

A ruptured ACL would not only rule the hooker out for the rest of the current season – where the Top 14 leaders seek to retain the Bouclier de Brennus as well – but could mean Saturday’s 52-6 dismantling of Castres was the last time he will feature in 2025.

Toulouse shared this statement on social media on Wednesday: “Peato Mauvaka will be sidelined for several months following a knee injury sustained during training yesterday.

“The whole club is behind you and supports you in this ordeal, as it will do throughout your recovery Peato.”

🚨 D’après mes informations Peato Mauvaka souffrirait d’une rupture des ligaments croisés.

Un nouveau gros coup dur pour l’effectif. https://t.co/j6VSGS0eP0 pic.twitter.com/3xnNSD96y0

— ACTU’ STADE TOULOUSAIN (@actu_stade) April 30, 2025

While France were expected to take a weakened squad to New Zealand for their three-match series with the All Blacks in July, this will nevertheless disrupt Fabien Galthie’s plans, particularly with the world champions South Africa, Fiji and Australia visiting at the end of the year.

Fortunately for Toulouse and France, Julien Marchand is a handy replacement to have to fill the No.2 jersey in Mauvaka’s absence.

The six-time European champions are already without their talisman Antoine Dupont, who also suffered a cruciate ligament injury during the Guinness Six Nations, and will now have to battle on without another world-class star.

Bordeaux have already got the better of Toulouse twice this season in the Top 14. While Dupont missed both of those encounters and Mauvaka only featured from the bench in one, Ugo Mola would have expected to have his superstars back for any crunch fixtures later in the season.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Bordeaux

35 - 18

Full-time

Toulouse

All Stats and Data