Four days before their clash with New Zealand, Les Bleus have suffered a setback. The UBB winger, who is still ill, and the Toulouse third row, concussed against Japan, will be absent.
Fabien Galthié and his staff could have done without these two pieces of bad news just four days before facing the New Zealand vice-world champions at the Stade de France (Saturday, 9.10pm). Late this morning, the FFR announced the withdrawal of two key players.
UBB winger Damian Penaud, who was forced to pull out of last week’s test match against Japan at the last minute, has still not recovered. Penaud, who is now just two shy of the record for tries scored in the French national team (36, compared to Serge Blanco’s 38), has been ill since last Wednesday and needs to rest. According to France Bleu, he left Marcoussis on Monday to return to Bordeaux, and is also expected to forfeit the third test, scheduled for November 22 against the Argentine Pumas.
”
data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js”
>
François Cros suffers concussion
In a second blow, Toulouse’s François Cros will also be unavailable against the All Blacks. Taken off at half-time against Japan, the third-row wing, invaluable for his defensive prowess, had taken a blow to the head. Examinations have confirmed that he has suffered a concussion, and he will have to rest for around ten days.
Read also
Rugby: the All Blacks are without Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a to face the French XV
To replace the winger last Saturday, Fabien Galthié called up young Palois player Theo Attisogbe. However, Attisogbe was forced to pull out of Les Bleus, suffering a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee against the Brave Blossoms. To make up for his absence, the staff will have to decide between Gabin Villière from Toulon, Matthis Lebel from Toulouse, or even move Section Paloise center Émilien Gailleton to the wing. The first-named would be the obvious choice. We’ll know more late Tuesday afternoon during the first high-intensity training session of the week.
In the third row, it’s a toss-up between Charles Ollivon, out of the 23 against Japan, and Paul Boudehent from La Rochelle, who came on as a replacement and made a sensational debut (scoring two tries), taking over from Cros. Boudehent is expected to start at the expense of Toulon’s Paul, who is expected to take his place on the bench.
Thibaud Flament fit
Good news, however, for Thibaud Flament. The Toulouse second-rower had to leave the field against the Japanese team due to a blow to the iliac crest. The player underwent reassuring tests on Sunday and should be able to take his place against New Zealand.
In a press release, the FFR announced that Penaud and Cros would not be replaced in the 42-strong squad preparing for the match against New Zealand.