Don't blame us, says Pienaar

Saracens rejected a French claim yesterday that they had made 'a big mistake' in their treatment of Thomas Castaignede before the player ruptured his left achilles tendon.

Dr Thierry Hermerel, the France squad's medical officer, pointed an accusing finger across the channel as the player awaited surgery in a Paris hospital, with both club and country resigned to not seeing him back in action before next season.

'Saracens made a big mistake because they gave Thomas an injection on his achilles tendon a few weeks ago,' Dr Hermerel said.

'An injection like that makes the tendon thicker and there is consequently a bigger risk of a rupture in the event of repeated use. I never give such advice because first we have to think about the health of the player.'

Sarries' chief executive Francois Pienaar denied the allegation. 'I am shocked that the doctor is making these claims,' he said. 'We would never compromise our players' health in any way. The doctor's remarks are unjustified and totally without foundation.

'We never at any stage gave Thomas an injection in his achilles tendon. The injection he had was below the tendon and it is common for this type of injury to be treated in such a way. I myself had an injection there during my playing career.'

According to his club, Castaignede had the injection before the Premiership match at Bath on September 30. He went on to play in all four of Sarries' Heineken European Cup ties, before reporting for international duty with France last weekend.

'Thomas had no problems whatsoever in the games he played for us after the injection,' Pienaar said. 'He picked up a problem with the French team.

'I spoke to him on the morning of the match and again two hours before the Australia game when he phoned to find out the result of our cup-tie at Bedford.

He said his achilles had been very sore during the week but that it was much better. 'My last words to him in wishing him well were: "Please, don't get injured".

'This is a massive blow, not only for us but for Thomas. Our concern for him was such that we inquired as to who was going to carry out the operation. We were comfortable with the fact that the operation would be carried out by one of the very best surgeons.'

Castaignede, warned that his rehabilitation would take between six and 10 months, sent a cheerful message from his bedside: 'Don't worry - I'll be back as soon as possible,' he said.

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