Winger Théo Attissogbe, who injured his knee this Saturday during the victory against Japan (52-12), will be out of the match next Saturday against New Zealand, unlike second row Thibaud Flament, the French Federation announced on Sunday evening rugby.
Théo Attissogbe, who had suddenly replaced the ailing Damian Penaud, celebrated his third match as a starter against Japan before going off injured at the end of the match. According to coach Fabien Galthié, the 19-year-old winger suffers from a “lateral sprain (of the ligament, ed.)”. Thibaud Flament came off after just over half an hour of play, suffering from iliac crest, but is present in the list of 42 players to prepare for the match against the All Blacks.
Racing 92 scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, who was out of France-Japan after suffering a knee injury, has returned to the team in place of Baptiste Serin who replaced him this week. Clermont mainstay Régis Montagne and Racing second row Cameron Woki also return to Marcoussis. France face New Zealand at 9.10pm on Saturday at the Stade de France, then Argentina on November 22.
The group of 42 players for New Zealand:
Pillars (7): Uini Atonio (La Rochelle, 34 years, 62 seasons), Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle, 26 years, 5 seasons), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon, 25 years, 30 selections), Régis Montagne ( Clermont, 24 years old, 0 points) Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon, 32 years old, 9 points), Tevita Tatafu (Bayonne, 22 years old, 1 point), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle, 29 years old, 16 points)
Whores (3): Gaëtan Barlot (Castres, 27 years, 9 sel.), Julien Marchand (Toulouse, 29 years, 38 sel.), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse, 27 years, 35 sel.)
Second row (5): Thibaud Flament (Toulouse, 27 years old, 27 selections), Mickaël Guillard (Lyon, 23 years old, 3 selections), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse, 26 years old, 3 selections), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon, 34 years old, 52 sel.), Cameron Woki (Racing 92, 26 years, 30 sel.)
Third lines (9): Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle, 27 years, 50 sel.), Pierre Bochaton (UBB, 23 years, 0 sel.), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle, 24 years, 12 sel.), François Cros ( Toulouse, 30 years, 33 selections), Marko Gazzotti (UBB, 20 years, 0 selections) Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse, 28 years, 29 selections), Charles Ollivon (Toulon, 31 years, 44 selections), Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse, 27 years, 5 selections), Killian Tixeront (Clermont, 22 years, 1 selection)
Scrum-halfs (3): Antoine Dupont (Toulouse, 27 years, 52 sel.), Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92, 22 years, 5 sel.), Maxime Lucu (UBB, 31 years, 24 sel.)
Demis d’ouverture (3) : Léo Berdeu (Lyon, 26 years, 0 years), Matthieu Jalibert (UBB, 25 years, 33 years), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse, 29 years, 37 years)
Wings (4): Louis Bielle-Biarrey (UBB, 21 years, 12 selections), Damian Penaud (UBB, 28 years, 53 selections), Matthis Lebel (Toulouse, 25 years, 6 selections), Gabin Villière (Toulon, 28 years , 16 sel.),
Centers (6): Paul Costes (Toulouse, 21 years, 0 points), Léon Darricarrère (Clermont, 20 years, 0 points), Gaël Fickou (Racing 92, 30 years, 91 points), Antoine Frisch (Toulon, 28 years, 2 years) Emilien Gailleton (Pau, 21 years, 4 years), Yoram Moefana (UBB, 24 years, 29 years),
Defenders (2): Léo Barré (Stade français, 22 years, 5 selections) Romain Buros (UBB, 27 years, 0 selections)
Interview: Time.news Editor with Rugby Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this edition of Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of discussing recent developments in the rugby world, particularly concerning the French national team. Joining us is rugby expert, Dr. Elise Moreau. Welcome, Elise!
Dr. Moreau: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to talk about rugby, especially with such a vibrant season ongoing.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. We saw that Théo Attissogbe suffered a knee injury during the match against Japan. Could you elaborate on the implications of this injury for the team?
Dr. Moreau: Absolutely. Théo’s injury, specifically a lateral sprain of the ligament, means he will be out for the next match against New Zealand, which is a crucial game. Given that he was a late replacement for Damian Penaud, it’s a tough blow for both him personally and the team’s dynamic, particularly given that Attissogbe was showcasing his potential as a starter.
Editor: Does his absence create an opportunity for someone else on the roster?
Dr. Moreau: Yes, it definitely does. With Attissogbe sidelined, it opens the door for another player to step up. France has a strong squad, and they will want to ensure they maintain their competitive edge against the All Blacks. Look for a player who may have been working hard behind the scenes, eager to take advantage of this opportunity.
Editor: Speaking of the All Blacks, the upcoming match is highly anticipated. How does the French team stack up against New Zealand, especially now that they are dealing with injuries?
Dr. Moreau: It’s going to be a challenging match, as the All Blacks are one of the most formidable teams in rugby. However, France has shown great resilience. While injuries can disrupt a team’s strategy, they’ve managed to maintain depth with players like Thibaud Flament, who, despite suffering an iliac crest injury, is still in the mix for the match preparations. His experience will be vital.
Editor: That’s insightful! It’s worth noting that Nolann Le Garrec is returning to the squad, along with other key players like Régis Montagne and Cameron Woki. How significant are these reinforcements?
Dr. Moreau: Extremely significant. Le Garrec is a promising scrum-half, and his return adds a layer of flexibility to the team’s game plan. Montagne and Woki are not just experienced but also bring physicality and skill. These players can inject new energy into the squad, which could be pivotal against a strong opponent like New Zealand.
Editor: It sounds like France is versatile and adaptable. In your analysis, how crucial is team depth in a tournament setting like this?
Dr. Moreau: Team depth is critical, especially in high-stakes matches. Injuries can accumulate quickly, and having a bench filled with capable players allows a team to rotate and maintain optimal performance levels. It’s not just about starters; it’s about how the entire squad can contribute. France seems to have equipped themselves well in this regard.
Editor: As we look forward to the match on Saturday at the Stade de France, what strategies do you think France should employ to secure a victory?
Dr. Moreau: France will need to play a disciplined game focusing on both defense and structured attacks. They must capitalize on New Zealand’s mistakes while ensuring they don’t give away penalties, as the All Blacks are exceptional at converting those into points. It’ll also be essential for them to leverage their home ground advantage.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Elise. It’s always a pleasure to dissect the dynamics of rugby with you as the World Cup approaches. Any final thoughts?
Dr. Moreau: Just that fans need to remember that injuries are part of the sport, but they can also spark remarkable stories of resilience. I’m looking forward to seeing how France adapts and rises to the occasion against New Zealand.
Editor: Absolutely, and it promises to be an exhilarating matchup! Thank you all for tuning in to this edition of Time.news. We hope you enjoy the game!