Star France back in Six Nations blow after undergoing surgery
Gael Fickou hugging Antoine Dupont during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.
France head coach Fabien Galthie has been dealt a blow ahead of the Six Nations after Gael Fickou sustained an injury at the weekend.
Les Bleus’ midfield linchpin was forced off at half-time during Racing 92’s 25-25 draw with Lyon at the weekend after fracturing his left thumb.
He has since undergone surgery and will miss the next six to eight weeks, therefore ruling him out of the start of the Six Nations.
The former Toulouse centre could return for the latter part of the tournament, but that depends on how his recovery progresses.
Good form
It is a setback for both the player and the national team. Fickou has been in good form this season, despite Racing’s struggles, and impressed in his stint on the field on Sunday, scoring a try as the Parisians moved into a 19-9 advantage against Lyon at the interval.
However, his departure hit the hosts hard as the visitors, who have not won in the Top 14 since mid-October, mounted a comeback.
Although Lyon were unable to break their barren streak, the side who currently reside in 13th place in the Top 14 table were able to come away with a creditable result to increase the pressure on Racing head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Irrespective of his club’s issues in 2024/25, Fickou would have been involved at the start of the Six Nations had injury not struck having become a key player under the current France head coach.
The 30-year-old started every game in the 2024 tournament and is now approaching a century of caps after making his debut back in 2013.
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Centre options
Galthie will now look for a replacement with Emilien Gailleton the next in line judging on the Autumn Nations Series.
Gailleton started both games against Argentina in July when Les Bleus sent a second-string to South America and he was then heavily involved in the end-of-year series.
The youngster was at 13 for the clash against Japan, with Fickou on the bench, before the French boss swapped them around for the biggest games against Los Pumas and the All Blacks.
Fickou was asked about being demoted to the replacements back in November, where he stated it gave him added motivation to remain in the XV.
“It was a bit cold on the bench,” he said at the time. “That’s team life, we can’t play every match. There are great players in my position who push, who have talent like Émilien, Yoram [Moefana] or Paul Costes.
“It’s a good thing for me, it puts me in difficulty and that’s what you need to get the best out of yourself, it’s up to me to be good to stay there.”
As Fickou mentioned, Galthie has plenty of options at his disposal with Pierre-Louis Barassi and Nicolas Depoortere other centres who have been in fine form this season.