Tovey in the doghouse as he misses tie

Blues back Tovey was unable to join the squad’s flight to France because his pet dog Buster chewed up his passport. A Cardiff Blues spokesman told the BBC News Wales website that Tovey was “in the doghouse”.

As well as being forced to watch today’s Pool Six clash on television, Tovey will need to stump up £100 for a new passport. “It’s a bit like the old schoolboy excuse that the dog ate my homework,” said Tovey. “Buster is always chewing things, but usually it’s my sock and shoes. A soon as I saw the passport, I thought I’d never get through airport security with it. I was dreading telling my team coach. I didn’t think anyone would believe me.”

Meanwhile, Bryan Habana, South Africa’s prolific wing and record test try-scorer, has agreed to join Toulon at the end of the Super 15. Habana will move from the Cape Town-based Stormers on a three-year deal and link up with former Springbok team-mates Joe van Niekerk and Bakkies Botha in France.

Habana’s move was announced yesterday by the Western Province Rugby Union, which oversees the Stormers, and on the 29-year-old player’s own website.

“I’ve had three great seasons in the Cape thus far and I am looking forward to finishing off on a high before taking on a new challenge overseas,” Habana said. “Rugby Club Toulonnais has an incredible pedigree and some phenomenal players and working with everyone there is going to help me improve my game – and hopefully I can bring something new to the team there as well.”

The Stormers said Habana, a 2007 World Cup winner and scorer of a record 47 tries in 83 tests for South Africa, signed a pre-contract agreement to move to Toulon after the Super 15 and “as the 2013-14 Top 14 season gets underway.” The Super 15 ends on 3 August.