France are sweating over the fitness of loose forwards Louis Picamoles and Fulgence Ouedraogo ahead of Sunday's clash with Italy while Wenceslas Lauret has been ruled out for three months with concussion
Coach Philippe Saint-André has delayed naming his team as he waits on Montpellier flank Ouedraogo, who nursing an ankle injury, while Toulouse number eight Picamoles has a thigh injury and an infected wound on the same leg.
Lauret was sent back to Biarritz on Sunday where he underwent further tests. On Tuesday the Biarritz medical staff confirmed he will miss the entire championship.
Uncapped Pierrick Gunther has already been called up as a replacement.
Comments
APV1 says...
@ TVaddict - unlimited transfers until just before the kick-off of the first match, so the team will recover. problem is who to replace him with?
Posted 17:10 30th January 2013
TVaddict says...
@APV1
Lol, same!
Posted 14:33 30th January 2013
APV1 says...
Picamoles is a nailed-on starter in my 6N Fantasy League team! This is more serious than people think!
Posted 12:46 30th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
As an Italian, I really hope he can make it. Picamoles is a great player to watch. Then, I don't think the Italian backrows have to be worried at all wheater he is playing or not. they have nothing to envy the franch backrows.
Posted 12:33 30th January 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Makes you wonder why Toulouse played Picamoles last Friday, but looking at the result its obvious, they need him and so do France. But old Hari had a good game that night and is not short of talent. Italiian talent lies in the back row though and France need the best they've got to combat that. Not sure that Dussautoir is yet back to his best. But Nyanga has been playing well.
Posted 09:20 30th January 2013
melkdave says...
If true its a huge blow for France imo.LP is the outstanding 8 in the NH imo,maybe the world atm,and him not laying certinally makes the italian backrows job easier
Posted 06:00 30th January 2013
GoWalesGo says...
Picamoles would be a big loss no doubt but Chouly of Clermont is in great form from what i've seen.
Wouldn't Nyanga/Dusautoir start ahead of Ouedrago anyway?
Posted 05:38 30th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Picamoles makes this team, even as an englishman I love watching him play...get better soon Louis. Honestly it seems unlikely that this will be a problem with Gunther, Dusautoir and co. available against Italy it shouldn't make too much difference.
Posted 22:42 29th January 2013
mlbp says...
A depleted France year after year after year...
Posted 22:34 29th January 2013
heart_of_oak says...
bad news for France if LP doesn't play - Picamoles is one hell of a player.
Posted 19:58 29th January 2013
stuart10 says...
Big loss for France if Picamoles is out.
Huge ball carrier and often the first at the breakdown.
Courage Louise !!
Posted 18:38 29th January 2013