In less than a month, the French team will return to the field for its traditional November tour. Between the injured and the players sidelined due to extra-sporting matters, Fabien Galthié will have to deal with numerous absences.
On November 9, the XV of France will meet its public for a match against Japan which will give the kickoff of the November tour. The Blues will then face New Zealand (November 16) and Argentina (November 22). High-level matches that Fabien Galthié and his staff are starting to prepare. But the French technician will have to do without players unavailable due to injuries for some and for extra-sporting matters – following the tour in South America – for others.
Up front, the coach will have to deal without Cyril Baille, the left pillar of Stade Toulouse, who suffered a ruptured ankle ligament and a fractured fibula during the last semi-final of the Top 14. Operated just after the shock, the Lannemezanais is well advanced in his rehabilitation and could apply for the Six Nations tournament at the start of the year. The French first line will also be deprived of hooker Pierre Bourgarit. The Rochelais must undergo four months of absence following a fractured tibia but also the right pillar Demba Bamba, injured in one knee during the matches in Argentina. Another heavyweight from the pack will also be missing in November, Posolo Tuilagi, the Samoan colossus, underwent surgery for a fractured tibia and fibula and will be out for five to six months. The case of Paul Willemse also questions, the South African second line has been suffering from concussions for many months. The Montpellier resident meets a neurologist this Tuesday to take stock of the rest of his career.
A question named Romain Ntamack
Behind the equation seems simpler for Fabien Galthié. If there were concerns around Thomas Ramos, the full-back, was injured against Clermont, only received a blow and will be left to rest this weekend by the Toulouse staff. The diagnosis is, however, more serious for Nicolas Depoortere. The neo-international center suffered a head impact against Perpignan on the last day. The Bordeaux player suffered a concussion and a fractured cheekbone. But one case is more talked about than the others: that of Romain Ntamack, who tore his calf. According to initial information, number 10 of the Blues should miss three to four weeks of competition. The Toulouse man could therefore apply for the match against New Zealand, if his condition allows it.
Icon Sport
The stigma of Argentina still present
The case of the players at the heart of business this summer in Argentina is also on the table. For Melvyn Jaminet, the issue has already been resolved: the Toulon fullback was suspended 34 weeks after his racist remarks. The former Perpignan player should return to the field by the end of January. For Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, the federation is awaiting the decision of the Argentine courts, which will be handed down on October 18, to find out if the two players will be able to wear the blue tunic again.
