In another hammer blow to France’s Rugby World Cup hopes, prop Cyril Baille will be sidelined after he sustained a calf injury against Scotland on Saturday.
The front-row is regarded as one of the finest loosehead props in the world, and his injury will severally hamper Fabien Galthie’s preparations for France’s home tournament.
The 29-year-old left the pitch in the 48th minute of Les Bleus’ 30-27 victory over the Scots in Saint-Etienne with his injury, meaning he will miss the final two preparation matches for the World Cup against Fiji and Australia.
Baille’s injury is the latest setback for Les Bleus, who also lost the services of first-choice fly-half Romain Ntamack for the global showpiece on home soil due to a knee injury sustained in that same match.
“As part of the France – Scotland match held this Saturday, August 12 in Saint-Étienne, two of our players, Romain Ntamack and Cyril Baille, suffered injuries,” read a statement on the French Rugby Federation’s official website.
Ntamack ruled out of Rugby World Cup
“Romain Ntamack was hit in the left knee and had to leave the field. Imaging performed this morning diagnosed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Consequently, Romain Ntamack will be forfeited for the World Cup.
For Cyril Baille, who was replaced during the match, the imaging performed this morning diagnosed a musculo-aponeurotic detachment of the internal gastrocnemius (right calf). His unavailability would be five to six weeks.
The timeline means that he will miss the opener against New Zealand and could only be available to France, if selected, later in the pool stages.
In addition, Demba Bamba was injured during the Scotland-France match on Saturday, August 5, in Edinburgh. Following an ankle contusion, he benefited from an adjustment of his training last week.
“He is released to his club this week. Thomas Laclayat (25 years old, 0 selection, Racing 92) has joined the group of 42 players from the XV of France.”
READ MORE: France lose star fly-half to injury ahead of the Rugby World Cup
The article France rocked by second injury setback after Romain Ntamack bombshell appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
Article courtesy of
Source link
