France dealt ANOTHER injury setback ahead of the Six Nations
France centre Jonathan Danty and an insert of Gael Fickou.
France have been dealt another blow in their backline ahead of the 2025 Six Nations with Jonathan Danty ruled out of the start of the competition.
It is yet another blow to Fabien Galthie’s preparations following the news that fellow midfielder Gael Fickou would also miss the opening rounds due to a wrist injury.
Danty was aiming to force his way back into France’s Six Nations squad after missing the July and November internationals for Les Bleus.
Jonathan Danty sidelined for the start of the Six Nations
The 32-year-old La Rochelle centre has been ruled out of the opening rounds after sustaining a knee injury which is set to sideline him for around two months.
According to French publication L’Equipe, Danty will have an operation on his meniscus this week and will ultimately miss the Investec Champions Cup clash against Leinster as well.
France start their Six Nations campaign against Wales at home on January 31, before away clashes against England and Italy in February.
If the two-month injury timeline is accurate, Danty could be back in the selection mix when France tackle Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in March and their final game of the tournament against Scotland in Paris.
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As mentioned above, Danty did not represent France during the Autumn Nations Series with Yoram Moefana and Emilien Gailleton starting against Japan in the centres with the former starting alongside Fickou in the wins over the All Blacks and Argentina in the latter two Tests.
With Danty and Fickou out, Moefana and Gailleton could well be backed in the starting XV for the start of the Six Nations.
Late last year, the midfielder expressed his desire to force his way back into the squad after a rough patch of form for La Rochelle.
“For a few months now, it’s been a bit complicated in the club,” he told Midi Olympique.
“People were still expecting as much from me but it was more delicate. Let’s say that I went through a bad patch. But it’s not over.”
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