Fickou, Boughanmi answer France SOS

Editor

France coach Guy Novès has called up Toulouse centre Gael Fickou to replace the injured Remi Lamerat for les Bleus’ end-of-year Tests.

La Rochelle prop Mohamed Boughanmi has also been brought in for uncapped Antoine Guillamon.

France kick off their November Test campaign against world champions New Zealand in Paris on Saturday.

Lamerat and Guillamon were both ruled out on Saturday and have added to Novès’ mounting injury crisis.

Fijian-born wing Virimi Vakatawa, lock Felix Lambey and loose forwards Bernard Le Roux, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Kelian Galletier have also been forced to withdraw through injury.

Prior to the squad announcement, wing Noa Nakaitaci, fly-half Camille Lopez, lock Arthur Iturria, props Cyril Baille and Eddy Ben Arou, loose forwards Yacouba Camara, Damien Chouly, Charles Ollivon and Loann Goujon were all unavailable.

After their Test against the All Blacks, France host the South Africa on November 18 and Japan a week later.