Double injury setback for France ahead of All Blacks test

11/12/2024 10:18 AM

INJURY NEWS: France will be without flank Francois Cros and wing Damian Penaud for their clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.

Toulouse loose forward Cros was replaced at half-time during France's 52-12 victory over Japan on Saturday due to a head injury.

He has now been ruled out of the rematch of the opening game of the World Cup last year.

Bordeaux-Begles' Penaud was originally scheduled to start on the right wing against the Brave Blossoms, but had to withdraw due to an illness and was replaced by Pau's 19-year-old Theo Attissogbe.

The 28-year-old has failed to recover from the illness, and will therefore miss the match at the Stade de France.

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France have confirmed that no other players have been called into the 42-man squad as replacements, as it is likely that both Cros and Penaud will be available for Les Bleus' final match of the Nations Series against Argentina.

The All Blacks have already seen a flank and wing withdraw from the squad ahead of the match, with Sam Cane suffering a concussion in the win over Ireland and Mark Tele'a picking up a hand injury. Lock Sam Darry has also sustained an MCL injury.

France currently boast a two-match winning streak over the All Blacks, but the visitors will be buoyed by victories over England and then-world number-one Ireland so far in November, consigning Andy Farrell's side to third in the rankings.

Both Penaud and Tele'a were try scorers when France beat the All Blacks 27-13 in the World Cup curtain-raiser last year, with the Kiwi being crowned World Rugby breakthrough player of the year just weeks later.

The 27-year-old scored two tries in the victory over England at Twickenham Stadium, and will be keenly missed in the All Blacks' back division.

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