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France confirm double injury blow in dire morning for hosts

14 Aug 2023

France's head coach Fabien Galthie (2-R) prepares prior to the pre-World Cup Rugby Union friendly match between France and Scotland at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne, southeastern France, on August 12, 2023. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)

World Cup hosts France have confirmed a double injury blow following on from news this morning that star flyhalf Romain Ntamack will miss the Rugby World Cup with an ACL injury.

In a statement, the FFR writes: “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.”

The union have also confirmed that starting prop Cyril Baille – who is considered by many to be the best loosehead in the sport – will now also likely miss the tournament.

“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 5 to 6 weeks.”

Such a forecast will see Baille miss the entire pool stages of the competition, but given that context it is unlikely Fabien Galthie will bring him as part of his 33-man squad.

Romain, on pense très fort à toi. 😢
Tout le groupe est à ton soutien, on te souhaite un bon rétablissement ❤️‍🩹🙏@RomainNtamack #UnisPourUnRêve #NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/lfj1UIHWPj
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) August 14, 2023

They have also released tighthead Demba Bamba back to his club after he suffered an ankle injury against Scotland in the Murrayfield match played nine days ago.

“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.”

France are set to face Fiji and Australia in their remaining two Rugby World Cup warm-up games, before taking on the All Blacks in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup in Paris on September 8th.

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Comments

6 Comments

TI 712 days ago

I think Baille is the bigger loss of the two. Ntamack is excellent, but Jelly Bear is always waiting in the wings, whereas there really isn't a 1 for 1 replacement for Baille.

I hate to see this. We've been waiting 4 years for this, we want to see all the top players duke it out, and the best players seem to be dropping like flies these days.

What's the point to those inconsequential warm-up friendlies, that no one will care about the next Monday, if it cost us some of the best players missing their chance to shine at the RWC?

DH 712 days ago

I question the utility of these warm up games, supposedly to prepare players for the world cup but these days, they only serve to get players banned and injured. France v Scotland was spectacular at the weekend but not worth a dime if you lost your best prop and playmaker.

France have enough depth to recover from that but other teams don't so I don't really see the point, particularly for sides like NZ and SA who are coming off the back of massive games in the RC.

The ABs v England game is likely to turn into a farce with a third string NZ side facing what will have to be England's best test team to face Argentina.

Northandsouth 712 days ago

It's hard to gauge - players need match time and they need time in their national side's system. If there were no warm ups players would still be half in their clubs systems and they would also go in to pool matches undercooked and be picking up their six week injuries at the tournament itself. Pros and cons

Tim 712 days ago

The ABs aren't playing England. They're playing the Boks at Twickenham.

Ruby 712 days ago

That's a damn shame, I want all of the best players playing at this World Cup, gutted for him, he's young enough that he'll probably be at the next two but he'll never get another chance to play in a home World Cup again.

Now I'm worried about the All Blacks Springboks warm up, hopefully both sides come out fine, although I suspect that they'll be resting the top players.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Hellhound 4 minutes ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

There was 10 yes, of which the Boks participated in only 8. They won 4 of those 8 WC's. That is what he means and you very well known it. You just want to troll because you've got nothing to say

55 Go to comments

Hellhound 5 minutes ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

In 1995 WC in the semi's too 😂

55 Go to comments

Hellhound 6 minutes ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

The French rule the world? They can't even win a WC IN FRANCE, nevermind outside it. They have been to a few WC finals. They are worse than the Irish in WC choking. They have been to all the WC’s and still no title. They can't even send and A team on tours. You can't rule the world if you can't beat everyone away from home. They can't. That is the main reason they come up with C team yours, so that fans doesn't see just how pathetic they truly are😂😂😂

55 Go to comments

SB 25 minutes ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

Mate, don't be disingenuous. The 1996 NZ tour is not what I am referring to. It's the 1997 Lions tour - which is what the original comment was about.

Like I said, between the RWC 1995 victory and the winning streak start in 1997, our landscape was shaky, we conspired badly against ourselves in SA. But since you brought it up, the NZ tour victory was a momentous moment and some sort of revenge for the RWC 1995 loss. So congratulations on it.

Show some class man!

55 Go to comments

SadersMan 54 minutes ago

'Most controversial call ever': Tizzano no-call lingers over Lions series win

Yeah, a strange attitude. I mean, I’m no fan of either team, but was hoping AUS would get there. SH solidarity.

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GH 1 hour ago

Owen Farrell hailed 'the best player I've played with' by 2013 series winner

Does it mean he was good ten years ago?

1 Go to comments

GH 1 hour ago

'I thought it was a brilliant clear-out, honestly - didn’t you?'

There is nothing there. Any team is refereed the same way when the opposite side is British, nothing to whine about.

But I would have appreciated a comment on the general bad discipline of his team all along the game, not only on the last minute. Clearly over the par for the international level.

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aa 1 hour ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

Interesting that the concentration is on this incident with Morgan. However, there were a few kicks missed by Lynagh which could have won the game, why not blame him for the loss?

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

Ruby Tui's response to World Cup omission earns praise of teammates

I don’t think she had anything to do with this article. It’s not like her to make this kind of fuss. I’m certain she’d rather the focus be on the actual team.

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GH 1 hour ago

Maro Itoje: What was said as Lions fell 'far behind' on scoreboard

with weeks of playing together, planning together and living together it is hard to argue that the Lions have had less opportunity for cohesion than Australia.

Did they brought a coach with them ? I don’t think so. Good players, bad team

5 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

'I thought it was a brilliant clear-out, honestly - didn’t you?'

There did appear to be something of a " Hollywood" but the officials didn't buy into it and no " Oscar" was awarded.

17 Go to comments

Snash 1 hour ago

'Most controversial call ever': Tizzano no-call lingers over Lions series win

You see those clean outs (on back of neck) often which is kinda weird they’re apparently allowed when you see how strict they are being w head to head

50 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

Played in 3 won 3. Thats 100%. Better than your teams rate

55 Go to comments

BH 1 hour ago

Ruby Tui's response to World Cup omission earns praise of teammates

Would you rather she have a sook about it and be bitter and jealous on social media? This is pure class, and other players could learn from it (e.g. Hoskins Sotutu).

4 Go to comments

PaPaRumple 1 hour ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

Clearly not, played 8 won 4 hence 50 percent win rate, It's not hard. What's your teams RWC win rate?

55 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 2 hours ago

'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

The photo evidence backs up Joe’s claim. Tizzano was on the ball first - before Morgan hit him on the neck. Despite Tizzano’s over-acting, the hit was not legal and the series was robbed of a decider last match.

8 Go to comments

Andrew Nichols 2 hours ago

The truth about great Wallaby hope Will Skelton

Auckland till the age of 10. Little brother all 6 ft 10 of him used to play for Counties Manukau.

7 Go to comments

Andrew Nichols 2 hours ago

The truth about great Wallaby hope Will Skelton

He remains a 40 min player.

7 Go to comments

Wayneo 2 hours ago

'Most controversial call ever': Tizzano no-call lingers over Lions series win

Haven’t see any of those “12 more years” posts recently.

Seriously, you NH lot need to up your game, can’t leave all the trolling to the Saffas & Kiwis!!!

50 Go to comments

Wayneo 2 hours ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

Brother, not all Saffas are Blue Bulls supporters.

The rest of us do know how to count past 10.

55 Go to comments

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