Injury Setbacks for XV de France Ahead of New Zealand Tour
XV de France grapples with injuries as they prepare for New Zealand tour, prompting new player call-ups.
Key Points
- • Cheikh Tiberghien ruled out due to thigh injury.
- • Marius Domon called up as Tiberghien's replacement.
- • Gabin Villière and Tom Spring also sidelined by injuries.
- • Five players from Top 14 final joining the squad this week.
As the XV de France rugby team prepares for their tour in New Zealand, they are facing significant challenges due to injuries among key players. The latest update reveals that Cheikh Tiberghien, a promising player from Bayonne, has been ruled out for the entire tour following a thigh injury sustained during training. In his place, Marius Domon, a 23-year-old from Toulon who is yet to earn his first international cap, has been called up to help bolster the squad.
The team is also monitoring the fitness of other key players, including wing Gabin Villière and fullback Tom Spring, both of whom missed practice sessions due to injuries. Despite these challenges, the coaching staff is looking to maintain a competitive edge as five additional players from the recent Top 14 final, which saw Toulouse defeat Bordeaux-Bègles, are expected to join the squad this week. Among these players are centers Pierre-Louis Barassi and Nicolas Depoortère, as well as forwards Pierre Bochaton, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, and Joshua Brennan.
However, not all news is positive, as Léo Barré from Stade Français will also join the team but is sidelined with a bruise and will miss the first test match against the All Blacks scheduled for Saturday in Dunedin. As the team grapples with these injuries, the anticipated matchup against New Zealand represents a critical challenge for a squad seeking to establish their form ahead of future competitions.
The uncertainty surrounding team selection has left fans and analysts closely watching any further updates regarding player fitness and performance. "We are hoping for quick recoveries for our injured players, and we trust in the depth of our squad to rise to the occasion," a spokesperson for the French Rugby Federation noted.
As the July 1st departure draws closer, the XV de France remains focused on their preparation, with a spirit of resilience characterizing their approach to this upcoming tour. Every squad change carries implications for strategy as they face off against one of rugby's powerhouse nations.