Clermont Auvergne stars 'out for a month' after machete attack

The French rugby stars injured in a machete attack at the weekend will be out of action for a month, their club has revealed.

Clermont Auvergne trio Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Pierre and Benjamin Kayers were set upon by a gang armed with machetes in the early hours of Sunday morning in Milau, where they had been attending pre-season training.

The club issued an update today confirming that all three were hospitalised after the attack, and are expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

Pierre, a lock, suffered the most serious injuries and had to undergo surgery on deep cuts to his hips. However, the club confirmed that his operation was a success and they anticipate him returning to training before September.