Tuitupou has played 13 games for Warriors this season - and scored five tries - but will miss away day in the European Challenge Cup to recover from a shoulder injury.

The centre has also taken the opportunity to return to New Zealand due to a family illness.

However, Director of Rugby Ruddock expects his star performer back next week and revealed he has already discussed extending his stay at Warriors beyond his current contract that ends in 2010.

"Sam will not be coming with us to France and is rested," said Ruddock. "He has played the last 13 games for us and every match this season plus warm-up games.

"He has a little bit of trouble with his shoulder and also a family illness that he has alerted us to so he has gone back to New Zealand for the week.

"We would rather he went back this week so he can get over jetlag and get the right preparation ahead of the return Bourgoin game and Bristol fixture.

"I have also spoken to Sammy about possibly considering a contract extension and he seemed very keen for that so we will now start to really talk to him about it.

"He is a very robust and durable player for us. He has scored five tries for us this season and is a great character to have around the club. He is a quality player being an All Black and those are the sort of guys we want to keep at the camp."

Meanwhile, Ruddock has revealed that he expects Loki Crichton to make the game with Bourgoin after shaking off injury fears after Saracens.

"We are hoping that he will be fit," said Ruddock. "We will name him in the team at full back and we are optimistic he will make it. He is running and is looking comfortable so we are confident.

"Chris Pennell has a swollen ankle after the Saracens game so with just a five day turnaround it is just not enough time for him to get right. But with a bit of luck he will be available for next weekend.

"Rico is with the Barbarians and will not be playing anymore than 60 minutes. We think it will do him the world of good to be back on the big stage and pick his confidence up after a run of injuries. He will join us tomorrow to fly out from London.

"Hal Luscombe will not make it. He has trained well and we expect him to be involved next week. We were tempted to put him in but now we have gone this far with the recovery we have decided to carry on and get him right and not compromise that.

"Up front I think you might see Chris Horsman making a start and Chris Fortey should be back on the bench.