Tue 6 Nov 2012 | 12:17
Valentin Courrent scores try then suffers freak injury from teammate's boot

9
Comments

Grenoble celebrated a 34-21 home win over Biarritz and a move up to the top six of the Top 14, but the win came at a price as they lost a few players to injury, and none more dramatically than scrumhalf Valentin Courrent, who was sliced open by his teammate.

Biarritz suffered their sixth loss in a row despite scoring twice, through Zee Ngwenya and Marcelo Bosch, as  Grenoble maintained their unbeaten record at Stade Lesdiguieres this season.

Young flyhalf Jonathan Pelissie took full advantage of the opposition's ill-discipline as his boot kept Grenoble in the lead throughout, aided by their only try of the game, scored by scrumhalf Courrent.

His try came from a well contructed lineout move early in the first half, but ended in disaster as he popped up over the tryline only to be met with the boot of Australian teammate Anthony Hegarty.

"It was a tough game. Half back had to get 26 stitches to his top lip don't think he was to happy with me," Hegarty told Brumbies assistant coach Laurie Fisher on Twitter.

The studs of his boot came into contact with Courrent's face and sliced him from the lip up. The former Biarritz halfback had to leave the field and was taken to hospital to be stiched up, and will no doubt have a bad scar, but an interesting story to tell in years to come.

If you're curious, you can see a closeup of the damage by clicking on the image above. You can also view how it looked in the change room afterwards, courtesy of a Hegarty tweet here.

9 Comments

  • browner
    9:50 PM 08/11/2012

    Cab anyone tell whether the player was wearing studs, cleats, or blades ?

  • downwithdropgoals
    8:46 PM 07/11/2012

    It was like a move from an old street fighter game or something.
    Poor fella, Jesus that pic from the changing room is haunting.

  • jeroo
    3:36 PM 07/11/2012

    Really bad luck "Here, have this scoring pass oh... and a boot in the face". Poor bloke. Truly a freak accident.

  • pretzel
    11:50 PM 06/11/2012

    Oh and for the record I expect a 9 week ban for reckless use of the boot...

  • pretzel
    11:41 PM 06/11/2012

    OMFG, that close up is horrific!!!!

  • guy
    9:08 PM 06/11/2012

    Friend of mine had the same injury, happened to him in a tackle. Unfortunately it happened the day he was going to a fancy dinner where he would meet his girlfriends parents for the very first time.

    My guess: that will leave a nasty scar. That hooker must feel like crap. Diving over his opponent so he wont hurt him...irony.

  • upthelowend
    8:40 PM 06/11/2012

    Although that was a skate, a very blade like object, as oppose to a rugby stud. This is nowhere near as bad.

  • cheyanqui
    7:57 PM 06/11/2012

    scary reminder to me of the Clint Malarchuk incident in the National Hockey League 20 years ago. But thankfully, this is not nearly as graphic.

  • colombes
    6:57 PM 06/11/2012

    How do u want your steak? rare or well done...
    More seriously, very very unlucky guy