Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at 10:45 a.m.
Victim of a concussion, François Cros will not be able to play in the French XV match against New Zealand. Damian Penaud, for his part, has not recovered from the illness which deprived him of the match against Japan.
The All Blacks will not be the only ones to be weakened. Indeed, while the New Zealand selection will be deprived of Sam Cane and Mark Tele'a to face the XV of France this Saturday as part of the November tour, Fabien Galthié must also face absences for this clash in summit. Already forfeited for the match against Japan, played this Saturday at the Stade de France, Damian Penaud has not recovered from the illness which sidelines him from the field, according to information from the daily The Teamconfirmed at the end of the morning by the French Rugby Federation (FFR). If Théo Attissogbé replaced him at short notice against the “Brave Blossoms”, the latter will not be able to fill in against the All Blacks due to a sprain of the internal lateral ligament of the left knee. Two absences combined with the right winger position which will force the management of the XV of France to change plans. While Mathis Lebel, Emilien Gailleton or Yoram Moefana could hold this position, the idea that is gaining ground would be that of tenure for the experienced Gabin Villière.
Boudehent to replace Cros
The Toulonnais has no longer taken a place in the starting XV of the Blues since the victory against Uruguay during the 2023 World Cup. Fabien Galthié will also have to change his mind regarding the third row. Indeed, after leaving the Stade de France pitch at half-time of the match against Japan, François Cros will not be able to take his place against New Zealand due to a concussion, the treatment of which requires an incompressible period of rest. The FFR clarified in a press release that the two players will not be replaced in the group, which thus remains at 40 elements. In order to replace the Toulouse player in his starting XV, the French staff would consider starting Paul Boudehent as number 6, alongside Grégory Alldritt and Alexandre Roumat, who could have moved to the other side of the third line. Such an arrangement is likely to leave Charles Ollivon on the substitutes' bench when the match kicks off. Changes which would be added to that at the back position, since Romain Buros should take the place of Léo Barré for what would be his first appearance in the Blues jersey.
