France Calls In 15 Players For Springboks, Giant Lock Ruled Out
France Calls In 15 Players For Springboks, Giant Lock Ruled Out
France has called up 15 extra players ahead of its rugby test against South Africa, including a replacement for injured lock Killian Geraci.
France has called up 15 extra players ahead of its rugby test against South Africa, including a replacement for injured lock Killian Geraci.
Geraci was a late withdrawal from France's 30-29 win over Australia in their Autumn Nations Series test on Saturday, and the French Rugby Federation confirmed Monday his removal from the squad due to a knee injury.
Eight of the 15 new players called up to prepare for the match against the world champion Springboks have never played for France.
Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament linked up with Cameron Woki in the second row against Australia after Paul Willemse also was ruled out because of a thigh injury.
The daring, but dejected, Wallabies offered no regrets after almost pulling off the upset of the year in an epic loss to the French.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup hosts and favorites had to pull out all stops to deny the Wallabies a famous victory, snatching a record 11th straight test win with a try to winger Damien Penaud five minutes from full-time.
The Wallabies produced a 95-meter contender for try of the year but ultimately paid the price once more for their ill-discipline and lack of attention to detail at Stade de France.
Sharp-shooting fullback Thomas Ramos punished the Wallabies for their every infringement, nailing six penalty goals and a conversion for a telling 20-point haul.
"It's a game of inches, isn't it," rued Wallabies coach Dave Rennie. "We got away with a tight one last week, and we finished second tonight. It is what it is."
France Roster For South Africa Test
Gregory Alldritt
Uini Atonio
Cyril Baille
Alexandre Becognee
Pierre Bourgarit
Bastien Chalureau
Dylan Cretin, Sipili Falatea
Thibaud Flament
Mohamed Haouas
Anthony Jelonch
Jordan Joseph
Thomas Lavault
Sekou Macalou
Julien Marchand
Peato Mauvaka
Charles Ollivon
Remi Picquette
Dany Priso
Yoan Tanga
Romain Taofifenua
Reda Wardi
Cameron Woki
Pierre-Louis Barassi
Leo Berdeu
Pierre Boudehent
Anthony Bouthier
Baptiste Couilloud
Jonathan Danty
Ethan Dumortier
Antoine Dupont
Samuel Ezeala
Gael Fickou
Emilien Gailleton
Matthieu Jalibert
Matthis Lebel
Maxime Lucu
Yoram Moefana
Romain Ntamack
Damian Penaud
Alivereti Raka
Thomas Ramos