COUGARS face being without a handful of key players when they make the tough trip to Toulouse for Saturday’s Super Eights opener.

Paul March's side return to the scene of one of their worst displays for years after the French outfit stuffed them 84-6 last month.

The fixtures for the Super Eights were only released last week, necessitating a quick turnaround in planning which has ruled out the influential Paul Handforth, Ash Lindsay and Danny Lawton.

March and his players will head to Gatwick Airport after training tonight and board an early-morning flight to France tomorrow before flying back on Sunday.

Head coach March said: “With the fixtures coming out last Wednesday, it has only given us eight days to get sorted because we are flying on Thursday (today) as there are no other flights due to the holiday period.

“We are heading to Gatwick after training, staying there tonight and then flying out first thing tomorrow.

“Yes, we had no game last weekend but we are going to be without four or five players this week because they have been unable to get time off work at such short notice.

“It’s their full-time job away from rugby so they have to abide by what their gaffers say and how much holiday they can take and when they can take it.

“At the moment, there are only four or five who can’t make it and that list will definitely include Ash Lindsay, Paul Handforth and Danny Lawton.

“These are big players who all bring different things to the team and Lawton in the last few weeks has obviously brought his goal-kicking boots with him.

“Ash is a '100 per-center' every time he takes the field and Tiger makes the cogs turn for us as a team, so they are massive losses for us.

“We will still have a lot of people to pick from but will not necessarily be travelling with the strongest squad.

“That said, it’s a chance for some other guys to stake a claim and I’m happy that we are going in the first week of the Super Eights because we get it out of the way and can focus on the rest of the games.”

After last month’s abject surrender in Toulouse, March is seeking a vastly-improved display first and foremost.

He has taken heart from Cougars’ spirited victory over York City Knights in their last outing on July 10.

Hamish Barnes is poised to return and Jode Sheriffe could also feature as March added: “I want not just a performance but I need to see the right attitude too and a willingness to never give up.

“We did not have that desire to work for each other when we last went to Toulouse and the lads are fully aware of that.

“Over the last few weeks, confidence has been low but I think we got our mojo back against York.

“Hopefully that has set up nicely to go to Toulouse and produce the kind of performance that I know my team is capable of.

“It's a time for the lads to stick together, be around each other for a few days and we've got a tight group.

“We thought preparation went well last time but obviously the performance wasn't up to scratch. Hopefully the lads can now rectify that.”

Cougars League One Super Eights fixtures: Sat, Jul 23 – Toulouse Olympique (away), 5.30pm (gmt); Sun, Jul 31 – Hunslet Hawks (home), 3pm; Sun, Aug 7 – Rochdale Hornets (away), 3pm; Sun, Aug 14 – London Skolars (home), 3pm; Sun, Aug 21 – Doncaster (away), 3pm; Sun, Sept 4 – Barrow Raiders (away), 3.30pm; Sun, Sept 11 – York City Knights (home), 3pm.