France rugby captain Thierry Dusautoir will be out for up to six weeks after injuring his knee in European Cup action for Toulouse.
Dusautoir, capped 54 times for France, twisted his knee in a tackle in Toulouse’s 33-21 victory over Treviso on Saturday.
“Thierry suffered a twisted internal lateral ligament with a slight tear,” said club coach Guy Noves.
“It’s an injury that necessitates between four and six weeks rest according to his ability to properly recuperate.”
Theat means the flanker will likely play a minor role in Les Bleus’ autumn internationals, which kick off against Australia on November 10, before matches against Argentina and Samoa on the following weekends.
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre told AFP that he wanted to see “how the injury evolved” before potentially replacing Dusautoir in his initial 33-man squad, adding that a decision would be taken during a meeting of backroom staff on Tuesday.
In the absence of Dusautoir, the captain’s armband is passed to 42-times capped lock Pascal Pape, who skippered the team during the summer tour to Argentina when Dusautoir was left at home to rest.
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Roar Guru
Awesome player and captain. To answer your question - the French care. and so should any team playing them.
Parisien
Guest
are you suggesting Dusautoir is an eye-gouger? That is way out of line.
Colin N
Guest
And lost to the All Blacks comfortably, as well as drawing against Ireland and losing to England in the 2012 Six Nations. France, with the resources and talent they have, should be unbeatable in Paris, but the reality is that they are typically inconsistent.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Would love you to be correct when you say they are almost unbeatable in Paris but they got hammered by 50 pts two years ago against the very same wallabies.
rae1
Guest
lol
rae1
Guest
The French in France are almost unbeatable regardless.The French are still hurting from the WC final and they will be out to prove they are the second best team in the world.Dusautoir played like a man posessed in the WC,however his play recently has not matched his previous years,maybe he was injured?Dunno,but i do not believe it will be affect the french or weaken them.They will just produce someone younger and hungrier.And yes I am happy with myself,caring is sharing lol
Cantab
Guest
I guess the local eye surgeon won't be getting a spike in business then.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
very droll, you must be happy with yourself someone took the bait, well done. When you lose your captain and best player that would make a difference to any team. This guy just about won the World Cup Final with a monumental performance so yes I will say again the Wallabies get a break if he is indeed out.
rae1
Guest
I will rephrase,I dont care, happy?The only ignorant comment is you thinking the french losing one man will make a difference to their team .I stated who cares with a question mark,so as to invite comment. It worked lol
Worlds Biggest
Guest
what an ignorant comment, why respond if you don't give a monkeys ? The guy is one of the finest backrowers in World Rugby. If he is out of the Wallabies game that is a big break.
rae1
Guest
Who cares?